Lancaster County COVID-19 Update for May 18

Published on May 18, 2021

Lab-confirmed cases reported today: 6
Total number of cases: 31,261

Variant cases: The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department (LLCHD) recently confirmed its first case of a COVID-19 variant strain called B.1.1.318, another variant first identified in the U.K. The variant was detected through special testing at the Nebraska Public Health Lab. An additional six variant cases were also identified bringing the total in Lancaster County to 113.

Total number of COVID-19 variant cases in Lancaster County: 113

  • B.1.427/B.1.429 – first identified in California, 10 cases   
  • B.1.1.7 – first identified in the U.K., 93 cases   
  • B.1.1.318 – first identified in the U.K., 1 case
  • B.1.351 – first identified in South Africa, 3 cases
  • B.1.617 – first identified in India, 6 cases

Deaths reported today: 0
Total number of deaths: 235

Recoveries: 28,811

Weekly positivity rate:

  • May 6 through 15:  2.7 percent
  • May 16 through 22:  no data

Hospitalizations for COVID-19 positive patients: 20 with 12 from Lancaster County (none on ventilators) and eight from other communities (one on a ventilator).

Risk Dial: green, signifies a minimal and controlled level of COVID-19 in Lancaster County, meaning transmission is low

Vaccinations administered:

  • Initiated vaccinations (first doses):  165,510
  • Completed vaccinations (second doses and J&J vaccine):  142,257

This week’s public clinics (subject to change):

  • Monday, May 17, Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department, 31st and “O” streets – first and second doses
  • Tuesday, May 18, “F” Street Community Center, 1225 “F” Street – first and second doses; and Gateway Mall – first-dose drive-through clinic north of the garages of the former Sears store
  • Wednesday, May 19, Gateway Mall – second-dose drive-through clinic north of the garages of the former Sears store
  • Thursday, May 20, Pinnacle Bank Arena – first and second doses
  • Friday, May 21, Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department – first and second doses
  • Saturday, May 22, Gateway Mall – second dose drive-through clinic north of the garages of the former Sears store

MEDIA NOTE: Media will be notified regarding coverage of vaccinations. DO NOT go to any venue without making arrangements with the Health Department.

Registration: Residents age 12 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.

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.

Residents can also find a local pharmacy offering vaccinations at vaccines.gov. 

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.

 

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