LBPHD Encouraging Everyone To Get Vaccinated As Cases Begin To Spike

LBPHD— In their most recent update, Loup Basin Public Health Department has reported a slight surge in positive COVID-19 cases. According to LBPHD, as of July 20 the total positive cases in the district have increased to 2,587 (July 6: 2,558), with 2,489 recoveries (July 6: 2,481), 54 deaths (July 6: 53), and 29 positive cases in the last 14 days (July 6: 17). LBPHD indicated they are concerned due to low vaccination rates in the district and additional cases of the Delta variant being found.

According to the Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention, certain characteristics of the Delta variant are being closely monitored as a concern including increased transmissibility and disease severity. The CDC notes viruses constantly change through mutation.

A variant has one or more mutations that differentiate it from other variants in circulation. As expected, multiple variants of SARS-CoV-2 have been documented in the United States and globally throughout this pandemic. To inform local outbreak investigations and understand national trends, scientists compare genetic differences between viruses to identify variants and how they are related to each other.

Vaccines are currently available at multiple locations in the LBPHD district. Immunization Program Coordinator Holly Mann told KCNI/KBBN the Pfizer vaccine is available to those 12 and older while the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccine is available to anyone 18 and older. She stated the department is encouraging everyone to get vaccinated and is encouraging youth who are eligible and going into school this fall to ‘get vaccinated.’

COIVD-19 vaccinations are available at the following locations:

ALL LOCATIONS OFFER MODERNA AND JOHNSON & JOHNSON VACCINES
LBPHD AND HOWARD COUNTY MEDICAL CENTER ALSO OFFER THE PFIZER VACCINE

Central Nebraska Medical Clinic, Broken Bow

Frontier Family Pharmacy, Broken Bow

Loup Basin Public Health Department, Burwell

Callaway District Hospital, Callaway

Anderson Pharmacy, Ord

Good Life Pharmacy, Ord

Spalding Pharmacy, Spalding

Howard County Medical Center, St. Paul

According to Our World in Data, as of July 18 Nebraska ranks 26th in the United States, including its territories, for fully vaccinated individuals at 49.2%. The LBPHD region is well below the state average with only 9,865 individuals vaccinated from the population of 30,773, or 32%.

Share: