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News and resources regarding COVID-19

NEWS 1.18.21: C19 Numbers Down in Woodbury County, Vaccine Update, King Event & More

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The number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are on the way down in Woodbury County. But local officials say people still need to take the novel coronavirus seriously.

Siouxland District Health reported ten new cases on Monday and a 14-day test positivity rate of 13.3%. That’s down more than three percentage points from a week ago. Sioux City’s two hospitals are treating 42 patients, that’s a decrease of about 9% from last Monday and substantially less than the record-high of 108 patients set on December 1st.

Credit Siouxland District Health

There were 200 new cases reported in one week and two deaths for a total of almost 13,000 positive cases and 175 deaths.  This means about 13 percent of Woodbury County residents have tested positive for COVID-19 with a fatality rate of about .17 for people who have contracted the virus.

In the most recent trend report, Woodbury County Health officials report the COVID-19 vaccine is currently going out to long term care facilities and health care professionals.  They anticipate the first doses will be completed for these groups by February 1. Residents are still encouraged to continue efforts to help control the virus. That includes wearing masks, staying home when even mildly ill, or if you had close contact with someone diagnosed with the virus, wash hands frequently, and avoid gatherings with groups outside of your household.

Statewide hospitalizations are up slightly, with almost 500 patients according to the Iowa Department of Public Health. One more Iowan died of complications of COVID-19 and more than 400 new cases.

The last time the number of people hospitalized was below 500 was on October 18. Over the past week, Iowa did report an average of around 940 new cases per day; it’s now less than half that rate.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska health officials say the number of people hospitalized with the coronavirus in the state has dropped to its lowest point in nearly three months. The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services' online virus tracker shows 429 people were hospitalized Sunday with COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus. That's the lowest number since Oct. 26, when 427 people were hospitalized. But the number of new daily cases jumped on Sunday, to 1.061 from 741 on Saturday and 672 on Friday. State officials have confirmed 181,978 cases and 1,837 deaths in Nebraska since the pandemic began.

South Dakota health officials say the state is launching the next phase of the coronavirus vaccinations. Phase 1D includes people 65 years and older, beginning with those who are 80 and older. 1D also includes high-risk patients, including those on dialysis and post-transplant recipients. Avera Medical Group vice president Dr. David Basel says there are 250,000 individuals in 1D, and they're getting 11,000 doses a week. Basel says it's going to take some patience. 

Sanford Health issued a news release on Monday saying it will start vaccinating residents 80-years and older (news release below).

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — All Nebraska men’s basketball team activities will remain on hold for at least another week after 12 people associated with the program, including head coach Fred Hoiberg and seven players, tested positive for the coronavirus. Nebraska officials said Sunday that this week’s games against Minnesota and Iowa have been postponed and the schools will try to reschedule them. Officials haven’t decided whether additional games after January 24 will be affected. Hoiberg said he has been isolating himself at home since testing positive on Friday. He said the program has been hit hard by the virus over the past 10 days.

Many thought one of South Dakota’s top industries would take a huge hit in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic. But, tourism officials say it wasn’t as bad as some other states because of South Dakota’s outdoor opportunities. From hiking in the Black Hills to driving through the Badlands, South Dakota’s outdoor venues attracted tourists in 2020 and the state tourism board thinks 2021 will be the same. Hospitality businesses and organizations across the state are looking forward to a new year and a vaccine for a fresh start in 2021.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Creighton University has received a $25 million donation from an unnamed foundation to create a program at its medical school for students interested in addressing poverty and improving health care in other countries. Creighton President Rev. Daniel Hendrickson said the program will begin in fall 2022. He said 12 medical students will be selected every year for 10 years to participate. The program will help train Creighton medical students in global care and also is a way to expand the medical expertise of those who provide health care on a daily basis in the low-income nations that will be part of the program. 

An annual community concert to commemorate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day will take place virtually tonight.

First Congregational and Mayflower Congregational churches are co-hosting the event that will be streamed online starting at 7.

A small group will present music dance and speeches focusing on the life of Dr. King and the need for the community to end racial injustice.

The local leader of the NAACP, Ike Rayford will give Dr. King’s “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” speech.

The concert will shown live on YouTube and Facebook and recorded for later viewing.

A second Iowan has been arrested for his alleged role in the attack on the U.S Capitol. The FBI has announced that Leo Kelly of Cedar Rapids was taken into custody today (on Monday). Kelly has admitted to entering the Capitol in media interviews, and can be seen inside the Senate chamber in a video published by the New Yorker. Kelly’s first appearance in federal court is scheduled for tomorrow.

Another Iowan, Doug Jensen of Des Moines had previously been charged with six federal offenses. Photos and videos of him were widely circulated apparently leading a crowd in chasing a police officer inside the Capitol.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The Transportation Security Administration is using new credential authentication technology at security checkpoints in Omaha's Eppley Airfield to confirm travelers' ID and their flight information in near real time. Michael Fowler is TSA’s federal security director for Nebraska. He says the technology is better able to identify fraudulent driver’s licenses and passports at checkpoints and increases efficiency by automatically verifying passenger identification. It also eliminates the need for most passengers to hand over their boarding passes at checkpoints. Travelers will still need to check in with their airline in advance and bring their boarding pass to their gate agent to show the airline representative before boarding their flight.

News release from Sanford Health of South Dakota:

Sanford Health to offer first COVID-19 vaccine to the public on Monday
Vaccine available for individuals 80-years-old and older
 

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Sanford Health will begin administering the COVID-19 vaccine to individuals that fall in to the phase 1D category on Monday, Jan. 18, beginning with South Dakota residents 80-years and older. 

“This is another historic and exciting milestone in our efforts to defeat this pandemic,” said Dr. Michael Wilde, vice president medical officer for Sanford Health in Sioux Falls. “This is a moment we have been waiting months for and we’re pleased to begin offering the vaccine to the public.”  

How soon people will be able to receive the vaccine depends on the amount available and where people fit in to each priority group. Priority groups are set by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and South Dakota Department of Health. Priority groups are established based on occupation, age and those with certain health conditions, as they are most at risk for COVID-19. People at high-risk will be prioritized first. 

“The vaccine is safe and effective,” Dr. Wilde said. “Aside from the things we’ve been doing for months now, such as frequent hand washing, wearing a mask and social distancing, the vaccine is really the last leg of the race towards ending this pandemic and returning to a new sense of normal.”  

Sanford Health will notify people when the vaccine is available for them. Those who meet the requirements of phase 1D will receive a phone call or My Sanford Chart message when they are eligible to set up their vaccine appointment.  People are encouraged to enroll in a My Sanford Chart account if they do not already have one as this is the fastest and most efficient way to communicate. To enroll in My Sanford Chart, visit mysanfordchart.org

People will be observed on-site for 15 minutes after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. The most common side effects are injection site pain, soreness and swelling. The second dose of the Pfizer vaccine should be received 21 days after the first dose. The second dose of the Moderna vaccine should be received 28 days after the first dose. 

For more information on the COVID-19 vaccine, visit sanfordhealth.org and the CDC.

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