COVID-19 cases seeing a slight rise along with hospitalizations

    News continues on COVID-19, as cases across the nation and in Nebraska are rising slightly, along with hospitalizations and ER visits.
    In addition, the Nebraska Dept. of Health and Human Services (DHHS) reported Friday that the South Africa variant of COVID-19, known as B.1.351, has arrived in the state. The initial case has been identified in a Lancaster County resident.
    Prior to that notice, the DHHS reported April 14 that a total of 291 COVID-19 variants have been found in Nebraska residents, but officials added the vaccines appear to be effective against all of them.
    Meanwhile, cases and hospitalizations have been on the upswing over the past month.
    SW Nebraska Public Health Department (SWNPHD) had nine new cases of COVID-19 reported from March 29 to April 12, the latest reporting period. None of the new cases were in Chase County.
    The most recent cases were in: Keith County-3, Perkins County-2 and Red Willow County-4, according to Myra Stoney, SWNPHD director.
    Nationwide, more Americans age 18 to 64 have gone to emergency departments for COVID-19 complications, according to the CDC.
    This increase of mainly younger adults is because most of them have not yet been vaccinated, CDC officials stated.
    Hospitalizations in Nebraska due to COVID-19 continue to increase, as well, with 166 patients currently hospitalized. That’s up from 151 on April 6, 116 on March 30 and 109 on March 23.
  Nebraska hospitals cared for an average of 167 COVID-19 patients a day over the last seven days. Daily averages in prior weeks were 140, 106, and 121 COVID-19 patients.
    Nebraska’s main goal remains protecting hospital capacity, state officials said.
     While younger, unvaccinated adults get hospitalized with COVID-19, the number of elderly Americans getting hospitalized or dying from COVID-19 is on the decline, as they are more likely to be vaccinated.
    To date just over 35% of Nebraskans are fully vaccinated.
    The state is now in Phase 2B, which means anyone 16 and older can get vaccinated, and there are several options available.
    Nebraska residents can register to receive COVID-19 vaccine at vaccinate.ne.gov, the official waiting list for the nine-county SW Nebraska Public Health District, which includes Chase County.
    Currently, persons are being vaccinated in one week or less. If you do not have computer access, please call 308-345-4223 to get on the waiting list.    
    People can also call Chase County Community Hospital to be placed on a waiting list for the vaccine. CCCH is working with SW Nebraska Public Health Dept. in administration of the vaccine.
    People can also check with area pharmacies that are scheduling appointments, one of which includes Adams Drug in Imperial.  
    Two hundred doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine arrived at SWNPHD in the last two weeks, but use of the one-dose vaccine is on hold throughout the U.S. until the CDC and FDA complete an investigation. Reports of blood clots have been an issue.