The Lincoln – Lancaster County Health Department reports another death from COVID-19 Monday, a man in his 60’s who was hospitalized. The number of deaths is now 232. The health department confirms 51 new cases of the virus Monday. There are three more COVID-19 variant cases confirmed. All a re the B.1.1.7 also known as the U.K. variant. The variants were identified through special testing at the Nebraska Public Health Lab, and LLCHD is currently investigating. The total number of cases is now at 30,493.
A total of 31 cases of COVID-19 variants have now been identified in Lancaster County:
- B.1.427/B.1.429 – California variants, 6 cases
- B.1.1.7 – U.K. variant, 24 cases
- B.1.351 – South Africa variant, 1 case
Variants can spread more easily and quickly and they can lead to more cases of COVID-19. Residents are urged to continue preventive actions to control the spread of COVID-19 and its variants in the community, which include getting the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as it’s available to you.
Recoveries are at 27,444. The weekly positivity rate from April 11th through the 17th was 6.2%. April 18th through the 19th, no data is available. There are are 36 people hospitalized, 18 from Lancaster County (two on ventilators) and 18 from other communities (two on ventilators).
Vaccinations administered:
- Initiated vaccinations (first doses): 154,977
- Completed vaccinations (second doses and J&J vaccine): 105,487
This week’s large-scale clinics (subject to change):
- Wednesday, April 21, Gateway Mall – first dose drive-thru clinic at the garages of the former Sears store
- Friday, April 23, Pinnacle Bank Arena – first and second doses
Registration: Residents age 16 and older are now eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccine, and appointments are available for this week. Residents can complete the quick and simple registration process and then schedule an appointment to get vaccinated at COVID19.lincoln.ne.gov. Residents who are already in the registration system will be contacted to schedule an appointment.
The health department is working with higher education institutions and local high schools to register students age 16 and older for vaccinations. Vaccinations are available at public clinics and pharmacies, and additional clinics are expected to be offered at local schools beginning this week.
Those who do not have online access or who need assistance with registration or scheduling may call LLCHD’s COVID-19 hotline at 402-441-8006 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.
Testing: The process begins with a free online risk assessment available at BryanHealth.com, CHIHealth.com or TestNebraska.com.
Drive-through testing is available from:
- CHI Health St. Elizabeth: Autumn Ridge Family Medicine, 5000 North 26th St. and Southwest Family Health, 1240 Aries Drive. Call either site to schedule an appointment: Autumn Ridge, 402-435-5300 and South West Family, 402-420-1300.
- Test Nebraska: Gateway Mall, 6100 “O” St., north parking lot of the former Sears store. Tests are conducted from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. For more information, call 402-207-9377
Testing is also available without an appointment at the three Bryan Urgent Care locations, 7501 S. 27th St., 5901 N. 27th St. and 4333 S. 86th St. To check wait times, call 402-481-6343.
For more information, visit COVID19.lincoln.ne.gov or call the Health Department hotline at 402-441-8006.