New Omicron Case In PHS District

By Gordon HopkinsOn Friday, December 17, Public Health Solutions (PHS) reported a new confirmed-positive case of the omicron variant of COVID-19 within the PHS district, which includes Jefferson, Saline, Gage, Fillmore and Thayer Counties. This is in addition to six previous cases reported.PHS issued a statement, “Initial reports indicate the positive case is not related to the omicron variant cluster detected earlier this month and is likely the result of international travel.”According to PHS, the individual tested positive on December 13 and all household members have been observing isolation in their home since symptoms began. Symptoms are reported to be mild. PHS noted, “Interviews with the patient indicate there is no danger of widespread exposure to the community as a result of this confirmed case.”On November 26, 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) classified a new variant of the virus, dubbed omicron, as a “Variant of Concern.” In the short time since the variant was discovered, omicron has spread around the world, including much of the United States.There are a number of different COVID-19 variants. Currently, the dominant variant in the United States is Delta. Genomic sequencing is used by scientists to identify COVID-19 and monitor how it changes over time into new variants and understand how these changes affect the characteristics of the virus. It is important to note that not all cases are sequenced, meaning it is possible there are cases of the omicron variant that have not been identified.VaccinesNebraska Governor Pete Ricketts held a news conference Monday morning, December 20, and again stressed the need for Nebraskans to get vaccinated. He played a video of a woman whose husband was hospitalized with COVID-9 and continues to struggle with aftereffects of the infection.The Governor said, “So, again, the cost there in human terms of not taking the precautions, like getting the vaccine, are very real. So please consider that.”“Getting the COVID shot will help you build the antibodies so you reduce the severe reactions like going to the hospital or potentially dying from getting COVID,” said Ricketts. “The COVID virus is going to be with us for a long, long time, so we’re going to have to manage this, and the best defense we have against that COVID virus is making sure we get the vaccine. It’ll help you build that immunity so that you can fight off the virus.”Despite this, according to data from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), there has not been a significant increase in the number of vaccinations in Jefferson County for several weeks. DHHS data indicates approximately 56 percent of the eligible population of Jefferson County are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The state as a whole is at 64.25 percent.Kim Showalter, PHS Health Director said in a recent statement, “Booster doses are now available for everyone ages 16 and older. For information on vaccine providers near you, please visit our website at phsneb.org or call our office at 402-826-3880.”Hospital CapacityAs COVID-19 cases continue to surge in Southeast Nebraska, hospital capacity remains a concern. JCH&L does not have ventilators and any patient needing a ventilator will need to be transferred to another facility.Lana Likens, Public Relations Director for JJCH&L, told FJN, “I visited with Dr. (Burke) Kline (CEO of JCH&L) who said our census is currently low and we have patient room availability going into the holidays.”

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