COVID-19 Weekly Update – February 22
Published on February 22, 2023
Risk Dial remains in low yellow
The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department (LLCHD) today announced that the COVID-19 Risk Dial will remain in low yellow for a fifth week. The yellow position on the dial indicates that the risk of the virus spreading in the community is moderate. On the color-coded dial, red represents the highest risk of COVID-19 spread, and green represents the lowest risk.
The position of the risk dial is based on multiple indicators:
- Cases decreased over the last week – from 263 to 234 or the week ending February 18.
- The 7-day rolling average of hospitalizations increased – from 31 last week to 39 today.
- Wastewater surveillance showed an increase in the number of virus particles compared to the previous week.
- One COVID-19 death was reported last week – a man in his 70s who was hospitalized and unvaccinated. The total is 474.
Current public health guidance is available at COVID19.lincoln.ne.gov.
Vaccinations: LLCHD offers updated bivalent boosters and the primary series onsite at the Health Department, 3131 “O” St. Appointments can be scheduled online at COVID19.lincoln.ne.gov or by calling 402-441-4200. Walk-ins are also welcome from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
COVID-19 vaccine and updated bivalent boosters are approved for everyone age 6 months and older. The Health Department encourages everyone to stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations including getting the bivalent booster. You’re considered up to date when you’ve completed a COVID-19 primary series and received the most recent booster dose recommended for you. If you’ve completed your primary series but aren’t yet eligible for a booster, you’re also considered up to date.
Benefits of the bivalent booster include protection against variants that weren’t included in the previous vaccines, and restoration of the body’s immunity against COVID-19. Even if you’ve had other COVID-19 boosters, it’s still important to get the updated one.
Local pharmacies also offer COVID-19 vaccinations by appointment. Visit vaccines.gov to find a pharmacy near you.
Vaccinations administered:
- Initiated vaccinations (first doses): 237,236
- Completed vaccinations (primary series and J&J vaccine): 221,854
- Lancaster County residents - fully vaccinated: 68.4%
- Lancaster County residents - up to date: 19.3%
COVID-19 testing: At-home test kits are available during regular business hours in the main lobby of the LLCHD, 3131 ”O” St. Test kits are also available at all Lincoln City Library locations. Lancaster County residents can report results of their at-home COVID-19 tests to the Health Department. The form is available at lincoln.ne.gov/COVID19ReportResults. All information is confidential. Those requiring assistance completing the form may call LLCHD at 402-441-8006.
Every home in the U.S. can order another round of free, at-home tests from the federal government this winter. Visit covidtests.gov to place an order. The Food and Drug Administration extended the shelf lives of many home COVID-19 tests. To determine if a test has a new expiration date, visit At-Home OTC COVID-19 Diagnostic Tests | FDA.
The CDC recently launched a website to help people find free COVID-19 testing locations – testinglocator.cdc.gov. The website is part of a federal program called Increasing Community Access to Testing (ICATT) for COVID-19. COVID-19 testing is available at no cost at ICATT locations for people with or without health insurance who are experiencing symptoms or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19. The tests are billed to third-party payers, such as Medicare, Medicaid, and private health insurers. People without health insurance do not have to pay for COVID-19 testing at ICATT sites.
For more information on testing or other COVID-19-related topics, visit COVID19.lincoln.ne.gov or call the LLCHD hotline at 402-441-8006.