COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A new coronavirus variant identified in South Africa has been found in the United States for the first time, with two cases diagnosed in South Carolina, state health officials said Thursday.

The two cases don’t appear to be connected, nor do the people have a history of recent travel, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control said.

“That’s frightening,” because it means there could be more undetected cases within the state, said Dr. Krutika Kuppalli, an infectious diseases physician at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. “It’s probably more widespread.”

The arrival of this variant now surging in other countries shows that “the fight against this deadly virus is far from over,” Dr. Brannon Traxler, DHEC Interim Public Health Director, said in a statement. “While more COVID-19 vaccines are on the way, supplies are still limited. Every one of us must recommit to the fight by recognizing that we are all on the front lines now. We are all in this together.”

The two people infected with this variant are adults; one is from South Carolina’s Lowcountry and the other from the Pee Dee region, the state said, while withholding other information to protect their privacy.

Viruses are constantly mutating, with coronavirus variants circulating around the globe, but scientists are primarily concerned with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/infectious-diseases-coronavirus-pandemic-12d1f000ed9601f99c1c7c08e020ba7b">the emergence of three of them</a>. Other variants first reported in the United Kingdom and Brazil were previously confirmed in the U.S. Researchers believe these three variants may spread more easily, and predicted it was only a matter of time before they appeared here.

Also, scientists last week reported preliminary but troubling signs that some of the recent mutations may modestly curb the effectiveness of two current vaccines, although they stressed that the shots still protect against the disease. And there are signs that some of the new mutations may undermine tests for the virus and reduce the effectiveness of certain treatments.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic">coronavirus</a>&nbsp;has already sickened millions and killed more than 400,000 people in the United States.

While some European countries do extensive genetic testing to detect these variants, the U.S. has done very little of this detective work. But scientists have been been quickly trying to do more, and they’re spotting these apparently more contagious variants as they do.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported at least 315 cases of the U.K.-discovered variant in the United States. Those reports have come from at least 28 states, and health officials believe it could become the dominant strain in the U.S. by March. That variant has been reported in at least 70 countries.

The first U.S. case of the variant found in Brazil was announced earlier this week by health officials in Minnesota. It was a person who recently traveled to that South American nation. That version of the virus has popped up in more than a half-dozen countries.

The variant first found in South Africa was detected in October. It since then has been found in at least 30 other countries.

Some tests suggest the South African and Brazilian variants may be less susceptible to antibody drugs or antibody-rich blood from COVID-19 survivors, both of which help people fight off the virus.

Health officials also worry that if the virus changes enough, people might get COVID-19 a second time.

President Joe Biden on Monday reinstated COVID-19 travel restrictions on most non-U.S. travelers from Brazil, the U.K. and South Africa. And the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending that Americans do not travel at this time.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A new coronavirus variant identified in South Africa has been found in the United States for the first time, with two cases diagnosed in South Carolina, state health officials said Thursday.The two cases don’t appear to be connected, nor do the people have a history of recent travel, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control said.“That’s frightening,” because it means there could be more undetected cases within the state, said Dr. Krutika Kuppalli, an infectious diseases physician at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. “It’s probably more widespread.”The arrival of this variant now surging in other countries shows that “the fight against this deadly virus is far from over,” Dr. Brannon Traxler, DHEC Interim Public Health Director, said in a statement. “While more COVID-19 vaccines are on the way, supplies are still limited. Every one of us must recommit to the fight by recognizing that we are all on the front lines now. We are all in this together.”The two people infected with this variant are adults; one is from South Carolina’s Lowcountry and the other from the Pee Dee region, the state said, while withholding other information to protect their privacy.Viruses are constantly mutating, with coronavirus variants circulating around the globe, but scientists are primarily concerned with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/infectious-diseases-coronavirus-pandemic-12d1f000ed9601f99c1c7c08e020ba7b">the emergence of three of them</a>. Other variants first reported in the United Kingdom and Brazil were previously confirmed in the U.S. Researchers believe these three variants may spread more easily, and predicted it was only a matter of time before they appeared here.Also, scientists last week reported preliminary but troubling signs that some of the recent mutations may modestly curb the effectiveness of two current vaccines, although they stressed that the shots still protect against the disease. And there are signs that some of the new mutations may undermine tests for the virus and reduce the effectiveness of certain treatments.The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic">coronavirus</a>&nbsp;has already sickened millions and killed more than 400,000 people in the United States.While some European countries do extensive genetic testing to detect these variants, the U.S. has done very little of this detective work. But scientists have been been quickly trying to do more, and they’re spotting these apparently more contagious variants as they do.The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported at least 315 cases of the U.K.-discovered variant in the United States. Those reports have come from at least 28 states, and health officials believe it could become the dominant strain in the U.S. by March. That variant has been reported in at least 70 countries.The first U.S. case of the variant found in Brazil was announced earlier this week by health officials in Minnesota. It was a person who recently traveled to that South American nation. That version of the virus has popped up in more than a half-dozen countries.The variant first found in South Africa was detected in October. It since then has been found in at least 30 other countries.Some tests suggest the South African and Brazilian variants may be less susceptible to antibody drugs or antibody-rich blood from COVID-19 survivors, both of which help people fight off the virus.Health officials also worry that if the virus changes enough, people might get COVID-19 a second time.President Joe Biden on Monday reinstated COVID-19 travel restrictions on most non-U.S. travelers from Brazil, the U.K. and South Africa. And the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending that Americans do not travel at this time.

Virus variant from South Africa detected in US for 1st time

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - Nebraska could soon eliminate all of its virus-related restrictions on gatherings if the number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 continues to decline even though few people in the state have been vaccinated for the coronavirus.

State health officials said the restrictions could be lifted this weekend if virus patients continue to occupy fewer than 10% of the Nebraska's hospital beds. As of Wednesday, about 8% of the state's hospital beds were occupied by COVID-19 patients and the number of people hospitalized with the disease had declined to 343.

The state adjusts the rules, which are designed to preserve hospital capacity, when hospitalizations remain below a certain level for seven days on average. The number of people hospitalized with the virus in Nebraska has been steadily declining since the November peak of 987, although it is still higher than it was at the start of October, when 227 people were hospitalized.

The main restriction that could be lifted this weekend is the state's 75% capacity limit on indoor gatherings. Guidelines recommending that seating at bars and restaurants be limited to groups of no more than eight people, that different families be seated six feet apart at churches and that customers wear masks at salons would also be eliminated.

Even though the state might lift its restrictions, its chief medical officer, Dr. Gary Anthone, emphasized that it is still important for Nebraskans to continue wearing masks and avoid crowded places while the state works to vaccinate more people. The state does not require masks, but more than a dozen of its cities do.

"We're still in the early days of this vaccination effort and so it's critical we continue to limit virus spread," Anthone said. "Wearing a mask, washing hands, and staying home when you're sick are the best tools to fight against COVID-19."

The state has administered 153,231 of the 248,741 doses of the vaccine it has received and roughly 2% of the Nebraska's population has received both required doses. Officials said Thursday that the state's allocation of the vaccine for next week increased by nearly 4,000 doses, which will help the vaccination effort.

Officials said that by the end of this week, all 90,000 of Nebraska's health care workers will have had the chance to get vaccinated, and more than 26,000 health care workers will have received their second doses.

Residents and staff at the state's 455 long-term care facilities have also received their first vaccine doses.

In most parts of the state, health officials have moved on to the next phase of the vaccine campaign and started inoculating people age 65 or older. The state launched a website Thursday,&nbsp;<a href="https://vaccinate.ne.gov/" target="_blank">https://vaccinate.ne.gov/</a>, where Nebraskans can register to be notified when they are eligible to receive the vaccine.

Nebraska reported 662 new confirmed COVID-19 cases and 12 more deaths on Wednesday, pushing its pandemic totals to 188,784 cases and 1,917 deaths.

The state has gone from having the fifth-highest rate of new virus cases in the nation in early December to ranking 36st Wednesday, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.

The seven-day rolling average of daily new cases in Nebraska declined over the past two weeks from about 948 new cases per day on Jan. 13 to about 686 new cases per day as of Wednesday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1608071469793.jpg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - Nebraska could soon eliminate all of its virus-related restrictions on gatherings if the number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 continues to decline even though few people in the state have been vaccinated for the coronavirus.State health officials said the restrictions could be lifted this weekend if virus patients continue to occupy fewer than 10% of the Nebraska's hospital beds. As of Wednesday, about 8% of the state's hospital beds were occupied by COVID-19 patients and the number of people hospitalized with the disease had declined to 343.The state adjusts the rules, which are designed to preserve hospital capacity, when hospitalizations remain below a certain level for seven days on average. The number of people hospitalized with the virus in Nebraska has been steadily declining since the November peak of 987, although it is still higher than it was at the start of October, when 227 people were hospitalized.The main restriction that could be lifted this weekend is the state's 75% capacity limit on indoor gatherings. Guidelines recommending that seating at bars and restaurants be limited to groups of no more than eight people, that different families be seated six feet apart at churches and that customers wear masks at salons would also be eliminated.Even though the state might lift its restrictions, its chief medical officer, Dr. Gary Anthone, emphasized that it is still important for Nebraskans to continue wearing masks and avoid crowded places while the state works to vaccinate more people. The state does not require masks, but more than a dozen of its cities do."We're still in the early days of this vaccination effort and so it's critical we continue to limit virus spread," Anthone said. "Wearing a mask, washing hands, and staying home when you're sick are the best tools to fight against COVID-19."The state has administered 153,231 of the 248,741 doses of the vaccine it has received and roughly 2% of the Nebraska's population has received both required doses. Officials said Thursday that the state's allocation of the vaccine for next week increased by nearly 4,000 doses, which will help the vaccination effort.Officials said that by the end of this week, all 90,000 of Nebraska's health care workers will have had the chance to get vaccinated, and more than 26,000 health care workers will have received their second doses.Residents and staff at the state's 455 long-term care facilities have also received their first vaccine doses.In most parts of the state, health officials have moved on to the next phase of the vaccine campaign and started inoculating people age 65 or older. The state launched a website Thursday,&nbsp;<a href="https://vaccinate.ne.gov/" target="_blank">https://vaccinate.ne.gov/</a>, where Nebraskans can register to be notified when they are eligible to receive the vaccine.Nebraska reported 662 new confirmed COVID-19 cases and 12 more deaths on Wednesday, pushing its pandemic totals to 188,784 cases and 1,917 deaths.The state has gone from having the fifth-highest rate of new virus cases in the nation in early December to ranking 36st Wednesday, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.The seven-day rolling average of daily new cases in Nebraska declined over the past two weeks from about 948 new cases per day on Jan. 13 to about 686 new cases per day as of Wednesday.

Nebraska might eliminate virus restrictions this weekend

HOOD RIVER, Ore. (AP) — Oregon teachers are eligible for COVID-19 shots before senior citizens after Democratic Gov. Kate Brown decided to prioritize reopening schools. 

The decision has outraged older people and underscores the moral dilemma state and local officials across the U.S. are facing as they decide who's first in line for the vaccine. 

Ethicists say America hasn't faced such a stark moral calculus in generations. Everyone from the elderly and those with chronic medical conditions to communities of color and front-line workers are clamoring for the scarce vaccine. 

And each group has a compelling argument for why they should get priority.

HOOD RIVER, Ore. (AP) — Oregon teachers are eligible for COVID-19 shots before senior citizens after Democratic Gov. Kate Brown decided to prioritize reopening schools. The decision has outraged older people and underscores the moral dilemma state and local officials across the U.S. are facing as they decide who's first in line for the vaccine. Ethicists say America hasn't faced such a stark moral calculus in generations. Everyone from the elderly and those with chronic medical conditions to communities of color and front-line workers are clamoring for the scarce vaccine. And each group has a compelling argument for why they should get priority.

Who goes first? Vaccine rollout forces stark moral choices

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Nebraska's unemployment held steady last month at 3% and the state is tied with South Dakota for the nation's lowest rate, according to data released Tuesday.

The state Department of Labor said Nebraska's rate hasn't changed since October and is the same as the rate from September to December 2019.

"Nebraska employment has recovered significantly since April, which was the peak for employment losses due to the pandemic," said Nebraska Commissioner of Labor John Albin.

Albin said the state has added more than 71,000 nonfarm jobs since April, for a total of roughly 1 million in December.

The low unemployment rate is likely due to a combination of factors, including major industries in Nebraska that weren't hit as hard by the pandemic and unemployed people who aren't counted because they've stopped looking for jobs and no longer qualify for unemployment.

Nonfarm employment was up 5,394 over the month, the largest December increase ever, but down 21,403 over the year. Private industries with the most growth year over year were education and health, financial activities and mining and construction.

The national seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for December is 6.7%, the same as the November rate and up from the December 2019 rate of 3.6%.

The Omaha area matched Nebraska's 3% unemployment rate, while the Lincoln area's rate was 2.9% and the Grand Island arean's was 4.4% for the month.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/6/1561209733269.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Nebraska's unemployment held steady last month at 3% and the state is tied with South Dakota for the nation's lowest rate, according to data released Tuesday.The state Department of Labor said Nebraska's rate hasn't changed since October and is the same as the rate from September to December 2019."Nebraska employment has recovered significantly since April, which was the peak for employment losses due to the pandemic," said Nebraska Commissioner of Labor John Albin.Albin said the state has added more than 71,000 nonfarm jobs since April, for a total of roughly 1 million in December.The low unemployment rate is likely due to a combination of factors, including major industries in Nebraska that weren't hit as hard by the pandemic and unemployed people who aren't counted because they've stopped looking for jobs and no longer qualify for unemployment.Nonfarm employment was up 5,394 over the month, the largest December increase ever, but down 21,403 over the year. Private industries with the most growth year over year were education and health, financial activities and mining and construction.The national seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for December is 6.7%, the same as the November rate and up from the December 2019 rate of 3.6%.The Omaha area matched Nebraska's 3% unemployment rate, while the Lincoln area's rate was 2.9% and the Grand Island arean's was 4.4% for the month.

Nebraska unemployment rate still lowest nationwide

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - Gov. Pete Ricketts on Monday defended Nebraska's approach to distributing coronavirus vaccines, saying the state won't redirect doses away from rural areas that are outpacing Omaha and Lincoln with vaccinations.

Ricketts made the comments after state officials reported Friday that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pete-ricketts-nebraska-coronavirus-pandemic-baedf76c534c676bf1a27f508840708a" target="_blank">15 rural public health districts in Nebraska</a>&nbsp;have already finished the first phase of the state vaccination plan, which focused on front-line health workers.

Those districts have since moved on to the next high-priority group, consisting largely of residents who are at least 65 years old and those who are vulnerable because of health conditions. Meanwhile, the public health districts encompassing Omaha and Lincoln are still working through the initial phase and won't shift to the next group until next week, primarily because they have much larger populations and more medical workers.

Ricketts said Nebraska distributed vaccines based on the populations that are most affected by the pandemic.

He said it's also important for local public health districts to get a consistent, predictable number of vaccines each week so they can plan accordingly. The federal government has delivered roughly the number of doses it promised to Nebraska, but demand still outpaces supply, he said.

"The single biggest thing they can do is get us more vaccines," Ricketts said at a news conference.

Nebraska officials said last week that young, healthy residents who don't fit into one of the state's high-priority groups may have to wait four months until they're eligible to get vaccinated. The wait time could shrink if drugmakers Pfizer and Moderna ramp up production or if federal regulators authorize additional coronavirus vaccines for emergency use.

Nebraska officials are planning to launch a vaccine registration website on Thursday that residents can use to sign up for a vaccination and be notified when they're eligible.

Nebraska has distributed 221,394 vaccine doses, and nearly 113,000 residents have received the first of two required doses, according to the state's&nbsp;<a href="https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/ece0db09da4d4ca68252c3967aa1e9dd/page/page_1/" target="_blank">online tracking portal</a>. State officials estimated than 1.64% of Nebraska's population was vaccinated as of Monday morning.

The state reported 392 people who were hospitalized with the virus, a number that has declined from record highs in mid-November but is still elevated from earlier in the pandemic.

Nebraska has confirmed 182,147 cases and 1,870 deaths since the pandemic began. Most of those who have died so far were at least 65 years old.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600861747887.png" alt="Vaccine photo courtesy Johnson &amp; Johnson" />
 <figcaption>Vaccine photo courtesy Johnson &amp; Johnson</figcaption>
 </figure>By GRANT SCHULTE-Associated Press OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - Gov. Pete Ricketts on Monday defended Nebraska's approach to distributing coronavirus vaccines, saying the state won't redirect doses away from rural areas that are outpacing Omaha and Lincoln with vaccinations.Ricketts made the comments after state officials reported Friday that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pete-ricketts-nebraska-coronavirus-pandemic-baedf76c534c676bf1a27f508840708a" target="_blank">15 rural public health districts in Nebraska</a>&nbsp;have already finished the first phase of the state vaccination plan, which focused on front-line health workers.Those districts have since moved on to the next high-priority group, consisting largely of residents who are at least 65 years old and those who are vulnerable because of health conditions. Meanwhile, the public health districts encompassing Omaha and Lincoln are still working through the initial phase and won't shift to the next group until next week, primarily because they have much larger populations and more medical workers.Ricketts said Nebraska distributed vaccines based on the populations that are most affected by the pandemic.He said it's also important for local public health districts to get a consistent, predictable number of vaccines each week so they can plan accordingly. The federal government has delivered roughly the number of doses it promised to Nebraska, but demand still outpaces supply, he said."The single biggest thing they can do is get us more vaccines," Ricketts said at a news conference.Nebraska officials said last week that young, healthy residents who don't fit into one of the state's high-priority groups may have to wait four months until they're eligible to get vaccinated. The wait time could shrink if drugmakers Pfizer and Moderna ramp up production or if federal regulators authorize additional coronavirus vaccines for emergency use.Nebraska officials are planning to launch a vaccine registration website on Thursday that residents can use to sign up for a vaccination and be notified when they're eligible.Nebraska has distributed 221,394 vaccine doses, and nearly 113,000 residents have received the first of two required doses, according to the state's&nbsp;<a href="https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/ece0db09da4d4ca68252c3967aa1e9dd/page/page_1/" target="_blank">online tracking portal</a>. State officials estimated than 1.64% of Nebraska's population was vaccinated as of Monday morning.The state reported 392 people who were hospitalized with the virus, a number that has declined from record highs in mid-November but is still elevated from earlier in the pandemic.Nebraska has confirmed 182,147 cases and 1,870 deaths since the pandemic began. Most of those who have died so far were at least 65 years old.

Nebraska won't redirect vaccinations from rural areas

CHADRON – More than 190 students from 25 high schools will participate in the Best of the West Business invitational Jan. 26-28, co-hosted by Chadron State College and the Nebraska Council on Economic Education.

Due to coronavirus concerns, the event has been moved to a virtual platform which makes it possible for schools from around the state to participate. This year, students from schools in Omaha, Lincoln, Grand Island, and Kearney are participating, according to Associate Professor of Business Dr. Gary Dusek who also works with the Nebraska Business Development Center that is coordinating logistics for the event.

The competition includes written tests in nine subjects: Accounting, Business Calculations, Business Communications, Economics, Introduction to Business, Introduction to FBLA, Introduction to Financial Math, Marketing, and Personal Finance.

The job interview contest for seniors will be judged by CSC business faculty members Dr. Richard Koza, Chris McCarthy, and Terrie Wood.

CSC students from the local student business organization, Phi Beta Lambda of Chadron, will assist with the event and provide logistical support. Phi Beta Lambda is the collegiate, postsecondary division of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA). The competition is sponsored by First National Bank of Omaha in Chadron.

Dusek said the competition will follow FBLA rules, so the experience will serve to prepare students for the virtual FBLA State Leadership Conference in April.

By CSC COLLEGE RELATIONSCHADRON – More than 190 students from 25 high schools will participate in the Best of the West Business invitational Jan. 26-28, co-hosted by Chadron State College and the Nebraska Council on Economic Education.Due to coronavirus concerns, the event has been moved to a virtual platform which makes it possible for schools from around the state to participate. This year, students from schools in Omaha, Lincoln, Grand Island, and Kearney are participating, according to Associate Professor of Business Dr. Gary Dusek who also works with the Nebraska Business Development Center that is coordinating logistics for the event.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611531886371.jpeg" alt="The top three contestants in the Best of the West Job Interview contest at Chadron State College's Student Center Ballroom Jan. 29, 2020, pose with Dr. Wendy Waugh, interim dean of Business, Mathematics, and Science and Graduate Studies, left, and Assistant Professor Dr. Gary Dusek, right. From left, 1, Rebecca Hanson, Hemingford, 2, Rebekkah Draucker, Arthur County, 3, Adrianna Dieter, Ogallala. (Photo by Tena L. Cook/Chadron State College)" />
 <figcaption>The top three contestants in the Best of the West Job Interview contest at Chadron State College's Student Center Ballroom Jan. 29, 2020, pose with Dr. Wendy Waugh, interim dean of Business, Mathematics, and Science and Graduate Studies, left, and Assistant Professor Dr. Gary Dusek, right. From left, 1, Rebecca Hanson, Hemingford, 2, Rebekkah Draucker, Arthur County, 3, Adrianna Dieter, Ogallala. (Photo by Tena L. Cook/Chadron State College)</figcaption>
 </figure>The competition includes written tests in nine subjects: Accounting, Business Calculations, Business Communications, Economics, Introduction to Business, Introduction to FBLA, Introduction to Financial Math, Marketing, and Personal Finance.The job interview contest for seniors will be judged by CSC business faculty members Dr. Richard Koza, Chris McCarthy, and Terrie Wood.CSC students from the local student business organization, Phi Beta Lambda of Chadron, will assist with the event and provide logistical support. Phi Beta Lambda is the collegiate, postsecondary division of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA). The competition is sponsored by First National Bank of Omaha in Chadron.Dusek said the competition will follow FBLA rules, so the experience will serve to prepare students for the virtual FBLA State Leadership Conference in April.

CSC to host virtual 'Best of the West' competition

WASHINGTON (AP) —Public health experts blamed COVID-19 vaccine shortages around the U.S. in part on the Trump administration’s push to get states to vastly expand their vaccination drives to reach the nation’s estimated 54 million people age 65 and over.

The push that began over a week ago has not been accompanied by enough doses to meet demand, according to state and local officials, leading to frustration and confusion and limiting states’ ability to attack the outbreak that has killed over 400,000 Americans.

Over the past few days, authorities in California, Ohio, West Virginia, Florida and Hawaii warned that their supplies were running out. New York City began canceling or postponing shots or stopped making new appointments because of the shortages, which President Joe Biden has vowed to turn around. Florida’s top health official said the state would deal with the scarcity by restricting vaccines to state residents.

The vaccine rollout so far has been “a major disappointment,” said Dr. Eric Topol, head of the Scripps Research Translational Institute.

Problems started with the Trump administration’s “fatal mistake” of not ordering enough vaccine, which was then snapped up by other countries, Topol said. Then, opening the line to senior citizens set people up for disappointment because there wasn’t enough vaccine, he said. The Trump administration also left crucial planning to the states and didn’t provide the necessary funding.

“It doesn’t happen by fairy dust,” Topol said. “You need to put funds into that.”

Last week, before Biden took over as president, the U.S. Health and Human Services Department suggested that the frustration was the result of unrealistic expectations among the states as to how much vaccine was on the way.

But some public health experts said that the states have not been getting reliable information on vaccine deliveries and that the amounts they have been sent have been unpredictable. That, in turn, has made it difficult for them to plan how to inoculate people.

“It’s a bit of having to build it as we go,” said Dr. George Rutherford, an epidemiologist at the University of California, San Francisco. “It’s a front-end supply issue, and unless we know how much vaccine is flowing down the pipe, it’s hard to get these things sized right, staffed, get people there, get them vaccinated and get them gone.”

State health secretaries have asked the Biden administration for earlier and more reliable predictions on vaccine deliveries, said Washington state Health Secretary Dr. Umair Shah.

Dr. Marcus Plescia of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials was also among those who said opening vaccinations to senior citizens was done too soon, before supply could catch up.

“We needed steady federal leadership on this early in the launch,” Plescia said. “That did not happen, and now that we are not prioritizing groups, there is going to be some lag for supply to catch up with demand.”

Supply will pick up over the next few weeks, he said. Deliveries go out to the states every week, and the government and drugmakers have given assurances large quantities are in the pipeline.

The rollout has proceeded at a disappointing pace. The U.S. government has delivered nearly 38 million doses of vaccine to the states, and about 17.5 million of those have been administered, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

About 2.4 million people have received the necessary two doses, by the CDC’s count — well short of the hundreds of millions who will have to be inoculated to vanquish the outbreak.

Biden, in one of his first orders of business, signed 10 executive orders to combat the coronavirus pandemic on Thursday, including one broadening the use of the Defense Production Act to expand vaccine production. The 1950 Korean War-era law enables the government to direct the manufacture of critical goods.

He also mandated masks for travel, including in airports and on planes, ships, trains, buses and public transportation, and ordered the Federal Emergency Management Agency to set up vaccination centers and the CDC to make vaccines available through pharmacies starting next month.

Biden has vowed to dispense 100 million shots in his first 100 days.

“We’ll move heaven and earth to get more people vaccinated for free,” he said.

Florida was one of the first states to open vaccine eligibility to members of the general public over 65. Now uncertainty over the vaccine supply has prompted the state surgeon general, Scott Rivkees, to advise counties to prioritize available doses for state residents, including so-called snowbirds who live there part-time. People seeking vaccination will have to provide a driver’s license or other document, such as rental leases and utility bills.

In New York, Mayor Bill de Blasio and Gov. Andrew Cuomo have been pleading for more doses. Appointments through Sunday for the first dose of the vaccine at 15 community vaccination hubs set up by the city health department were postponed to next week.

Vaccinations in New York haven’t stopped, but demand for the shots now far exceeds the number of doses available, the mayor said.

“It’s just tremendously sad that we have so many people who want the vaccine and so much ability to give the vaccine, what’s happening?” de Blasio said. “For lack of supply, we’re actually having to cancel appointments.”

Rosa Schneider had jumped at the chance to make a vaccination appointment once she heard that educators like her were eligible in New York. A high school English teacher who lives in New York City but works in New Jersey, she said that a day before she was to be vaccinated on Wednesday at a city-run hospital, she got a call saying the supply had run out and the appointment was canceled.

“I was concerned, and I was upset,” said Schneider, 32, but she is trying daily to book another appointment. She is hopeful availability will improve in the coming weeks.

WASHINGTON (AP) —Public health experts blamed COVID-19 vaccine shortages around the U.S. in part on the Trump administration’s push to get states to vastly expand their vaccination drives to reach the nation’s estimated 54 million people age 65 and over.The push that began over a week ago has not been accompanied by enough doses to meet demand, according to state and local officials, leading to frustration and confusion and limiting states’ ability to attack the outbreak that has killed over 400,000 Americans.Over the past few days, authorities in California, Ohio, West Virginia, Florida and Hawaii warned that their supplies were running out. New York City began canceling or postponing shots or stopped making new appointments because of the shortages, which President Joe Biden has vowed to turn around. Florida’s top health official said the state would deal with the scarcity by restricting vaccines to state residents.The vaccine rollout so far has been “a major disappointment,” said Dr. Eric Topol, head of the Scripps Research Translational Institute.Problems started with the Trump administration’s “fatal mistake” of not ordering enough vaccine, which was then snapped up by other countries, Topol said. Then, opening the line to senior citizens set people up for disappointment because there wasn’t enough vaccine, he said. The Trump administration also left crucial planning to the states and didn’t provide the necessary funding.“It doesn’t happen by fairy dust,” Topol said. “You need to put funds into that.”Last week, before Biden took over as president, the U.S. Health and Human Services Department suggested that the frustration was the result of unrealistic expectations among the states as to how much vaccine was on the way.But some public health experts said that the states have not been getting reliable information on vaccine deliveries and that the amounts they have been sent have been unpredictable. That, in turn, has made it difficult for them to plan how to inoculate people.“It’s a bit of having to build it as we go,” said Dr. George Rutherford, an epidemiologist at the University of California, San Francisco. “It’s a front-end supply issue, and unless we know how much vaccine is flowing down the pipe, it’s hard to get these things sized right, staffed, get people there, get them vaccinated and get them gone.”State health secretaries have asked the Biden administration for earlier and more reliable predictions on vaccine deliveries, said Washington state Health Secretary Dr. Umair Shah.Dr. Marcus Plescia of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials was also among those who said opening vaccinations to senior citizens was done too soon, before supply could catch up.“We needed steady federal leadership on this early in the launch,” Plescia said. “That did not happen, and now that we are not prioritizing groups, there is going to be some lag for supply to catch up with demand.”Supply will pick up over the next few weeks, he said. Deliveries go out to the states every week, and the government and drugmakers have given assurances large quantities are in the pipeline.The rollout has proceeded at a disappointing pace. The U.S. government has delivered nearly 38 million doses of vaccine to the states, and about 17.5 million of those have been administered, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About 2.4 million people have received the necessary two doses, by the CDC’s count — well short of the hundreds of millions who will have to be inoculated to vanquish the outbreak.Biden, in one of his first orders of business, signed 10 executive orders to combat the coronavirus pandemic on Thursday, including one broadening the use of the Defense Production Act to expand vaccine production. The 1950 Korean War-era law enables the government to direct the manufacture of critical goods.He also mandated masks for travel, including in airports and on planes, ships, trains, buses and public transportation, and ordered the Federal Emergency Management Agency to set up vaccination centers and the CDC to make vaccines available through pharmacies starting next month.Biden has vowed to dispense 100 million shots in his first 100 days.“We’ll move heaven and earth to get more people vaccinated for free,” he said.Florida was one of the first states to open vaccine eligibility to members of the general public over 65. Now uncertainty over the vaccine supply has prompted the state surgeon general, Scott Rivkees, to advise counties to prioritize available doses for state residents, including so-called snowbirds who live there part-time. People seeking vaccination will have to provide a driver’s license or other document, such as rental leases and utility bills.In New York, Mayor Bill de Blasio and Gov. Andrew Cuomo have been pleading for more doses. Appointments through Sunday for the first dose of the vaccine at 15 community vaccination hubs set up by the city health department were postponed to next week.Vaccinations in New York haven’t stopped, but demand for the shots now far exceeds the number of doses available, the mayor said.“It’s just tremendously sad that we have so many people who want the vaccine and so much ability to give the vaccine, what’s happening?” de Blasio said. “For lack of supply, we’re actually having to cancel appointments.”Rosa Schneider had jumped at the chance to make a vaccination appointment once she heard that educators like her were eligible in New York. A high school English teacher who lives in New York City but works in New Jersey, she said that a day before she was to be vaccinated on Wednesday at a city-run hospital, she got a call saying the supply had run out and the appointment was canceled.“I was concerned, and I was upset,” said Schneider, 32, but she is trying daily to book another appointment. She is hopeful availability will improve in the coming weeks.

Health experts blame rapid expansion for vaccine shortages

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - A mass vaccination event in Lincoln that helped Nebraska record one of its most productive days in its campaign to distribute shots could serve as a model for future events.

Health officials in Lincoln said roughly 2,400 health care workers received the vaccine Friday at the event held at the Pinnacle Bank Arena. That helped the state administer 8,701 doses of the vaccine on Friday in what was the second-busiest day of the campaign so far.

Jan. 5 - when 13,660 doses of the vaccine were administered - is the busiest day so far. The state has been averaging about 4,500 shots a day over the past two weeks as it works to speed up distribution of the vaccine.

Pat Lopez, director of the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department, said Friday's mass vaccination event was successful with most people able to get their shots and get out of the arena in less than 30 minutes.

Currently, the state is receiving about 23,500 doses of coronavirus vaccines each week that are distributed statewide.

The state said 599 cases of the virus were reported Saturday. A total of 186,854 cases and 1,879 deaths have been recorded so far.

The number of people hospitalized with the virus dipped below 400 for the first time since October Saturday when 390 people were being treated.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - A mass vaccination event in Lincoln that helped Nebraska record one of its most productive days in its campaign to distribute shots could serve as a model for future events.Health officials in Lincoln said roughly 2,400 health care workers received the vaccine Friday at the event held at the Pinnacle Bank Arena. That helped the state administer 8,701 doses of the vaccine on Friday in what was the second-busiest day of the campaign so far.Jan. 5 - when 13,660 doses of the vaccine were administered - is the busiest day so far. The state has been averaging about 4,500 shots a day over the past two weeks as it works to speed up distribution of the vaccine.Pat Lopez, director of the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department, said Friday's mass vaccination event was successful with most people able to get their shots and get out of the arena in less than 30 minutes.Currently, the state is receiving about 23,500 doses of coronavirus vaccines each week that are distributed statewide.The state said 599 cases of the virus were reported Saturday. A total of 186,854 cases and 1,879 deaths have been recorded so far.The number of people hospitalized with the virus dipped below 400 for the first time since October Saturday when 390 people were being treated.

Mass vaccination event in Lincoln could be a model in state

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Nebraska residents who are younger than 65 years old and considered healthy may have to wait another four months to get the coronavirus vaccine based on current distributions to the state, officials said Friday.

State health officials and Gov. Pete Ricketts said they're currently receiving 94,000 vaccinations a month through the distribution chain administered by the federal government.

Nebraska has already been vaccinating front-line health care workers and people with ties to long-term care facilities. Under the state's distribution plan, the next in line are an estimated 500,000 residents who are at least 65 years old or have a health condition that puts them at greater risk if they catch the virus.

State officials predict that 75% of that group will get a vaccine, which translates into a four-month wait for everyone else unless Nebraska starts receiving a larger number of vaccine shipments. Currently, the only two vaccines authorized for emergency use in the United States are produced by drugmakers Pfizer and Moderna.

"If we get additional vaccines approved by the government ... that will allow us to speed this process up," Ricketts said during a news conference on the state's pandemic response.

Nebraska's two largest public health districts, encompassing Omaha and Lincoln, will start vaccinating people 65 and older and those with health conditions during the first week of February, said Angie Ling, incident commander for the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. Fifteen other health departments in rural parts of the state have already begun vaccinating that group because their populations are smaller, and two others are expected to start this week.

Ling said residents will be able to get vaccinated at community health clinics, their local health care provider or at pharmacies that carry the drugs. The state also plans to launch a registration website on Jan. 29, along with a hotline for people who don't have internet access.

Some local governments have already established registration websites, but Ling said those will feed into the state's website to help determine when residents are eligible.

State officials previously predicted that vaccinations would be available to the general public by April. Ricketts said Nebraska has been able to distribute vaccines through a network of hospitals and other health care providers, but is limited by the supply it receives each week.

"If there's more supply, we will find ways to get it into people's arms," he said.

Ling said Pfizer and Moderna are working to increase their production, which would allow the state to quicken its pace.

Nebraska had 421 people hospitalized with the virus as of Thursday evening, continuing a decline from the all-time high of 987 in mid-November, according to the state's online tracking portal. The state has confirmed 185,346 cases and 1,868 deaths since the pandemic began. Nearly 83% of those who have died were 65 or older.

The state reported 864 new cases on Thursday, down from the peak numbers reached in mid-November.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611179732999.png" alt="Carlos Moreno / KCUR" />
 <figcaption>Carlos Moreno / KCUR</figcaption>
 </figure>By GRANT SCHULTE-Associated Press LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Nebraska residents who are younger than 65 years old and considered healthy may have to wait another four months to get the coronavirus vaccine based on current distributions to the state, officials said Friday.State health officials and Gov. Pete Ricketts said they're currently receiving 94,000 vaccinations a month through the distribution chain administered by the federal government.Nebraska has already been vaccinating front-line health care workers and people with ties to long-term care facilities. Under the state's distribution plan, the next in line are an estimated 500,000 residents who are at least 65 years old or have a health condition that puts them at greater risk if they catch the virus.State officials predict that 75% of that group will get a vaccine, which translates into a four-month wait for everyone else unless Nebraska starts receiving a larger number of vaccine shipments. Currently, the only two vaccines authorized for emergency use in the United States are produced by drugmakers Pfizer and Moderna."If we get additional vaccines approved by the government ... that will allow us to speed this process up," Ricketts said during a news conference on the state's pandemic response.Nebraska's two largest public health districts, encompassing Omaha and Lincoln, will start vaccinating people 65 and older and those with health conditions during the first week of February, said Angie Ling, incident commander for the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. Fifteen other health departments in rural parts of the state have already begun vaccinating that group because their populations are smaller, and two others are expected to start this week.Ling said residents will be able to get vaccinated at community health clinics, their local health care provider or at pharmacies that carry the drugs. The state also plans to launch a registration website on Jan. 29, along with a hotline for people who don't have internet access.Some local governments have already established registration websites, but Ling said those will feed into the state's website to help determine when residents are eligible.State officials previously predicted that vaccinations would be available to the general public by April. Ricketts said Nebraska has been able to distribute vaccines through a network of hospitals and other health care providers, but is limited by the supply it receives each week."If there's more supply, we will find ways to get it into people's arms," he said.Ling said Pfizer and Moderna are working to increase their production, which would allow the state to quicken its pace.Nebraska had 421 people hospitalized with the virus as of Thursday evening, continuing a decline from the all-time high of 987 in mid-November, according to the state's online tracking portal. The state has confirmed 185,346 cases and 1,868 deaths since the pandemic began. Nearly 83% of those who have died were 65 or older.The state reported 864 new cases on Thursday, down from the peak numbers reached in mid-November.

Some Nebraskans may face 4-month wait for vaccine

The West Central District Health Department's COVID-19 community risk dial did not move this week.


The risk dial remained at a 3.46, which is in the elevated risk
level. 


The COVID-19 Risk Dial contains
recommended guidance to help prevent and control the spread of
COVID-19.

While in the Elevated Risk category,
physical distance of 6 feet or greater, wearing face coverings when
outside the home, frequent handwashing (or use of hand sanitizer),
staying home if you are having flu-like or COVID-like symptoms,
disinfecting high touch surfaces, and having at-risk and vulnerable
people remain home are recommended as the greatest tools in reducing
the spread of COVID-19. For more information on recommendations for
the various risk categories of the WCDHD Community Risk Dial, please
visit the COVID-19 Risk Dial page on our website.

There have been 150 cases of COVID-19
for the time period of 1/9/2021 to 1/19/2021. Moving forward, WCDHD
will be posting a COVID-19 case number update on a weekly basis with
the risk dial update.

Visit the Community Risk Dial page <a href="https://wcdhd.org/coronavirus/risk-dial.html">HERE</a>

View the WCDHD COVID-19 Dashboard <a href="https://public.tableau.com/profile/sydney.keller5172#!/vizhome/WestCentralDistrictHealthDepartmentCOVID-19Dashboard/CaseInformation">HERE</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611316258498.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The West Central District Health Department's COVID-19 community risk dial did not move this week.
The risk dial remained at a 3.46, which is in the elevated risk
level. 
The COVID-19 Risk Dial contains
recommended guidance to help prevent and control the spread of
COVID-19.While in the Elevated Risk category,
physical distance of 6 feet or greater, wearing face coverings when
outside the home, frequent handwashing (or use of hand sanitizer),
staying home if you are having flu-like or COVID-like symptoms,
disinfecting high touch surfaces, and having at-risk and vulnerable
people remain home are recommended as the greatest tools in reducing
the spread of COVID-19. For more information on recommendations for
the various risk categories of the WCDHD Community Risk Dial, please
visit the COVID-19 Risk Dial page on our website.There have been 150 cases of COVID-19
for the time period of 1/9/2021 to 1/19/2021. Moving forward, WCDHD
will be posting a COVID-19 case number update on a weekly basis with
the risk dial update.Visit the Community Risk Dial page <a href="https://wcdhd.org/coronavirus/risk-dial.html">HERE</a>View the WCDHD COVID-19 Dashboard <a href="https://public.tableau.com/profile/sydney.keller5172#!/vizhome/WestCentralDistrictHealthDepartmentCOVID-19Dashboard/CaseInformation">HERE</a>

WCDHD COVID-19 community risk dial remains in Elevated category

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Local health officials across Nebraska could gain more authority to impose restrictions related to the coronavirus under a bill in the legislature.

The bill would allow local public health departments across the state to impose restrictions related to the virus or other infectious diseases, without seeking state approval.

Under the current rules, Gov. Pete Ricketts' administration prevented local health officials from requiring people to wear masks when COVID-19 started spreading widely across the state last year. Later, many cities across the state took action to require masks once it became clear they had the legal authority to do so.

Ricketts has steadfastly opposed mask mandates because he has said that requiring them would likely generate resistance.

State Sen. Tony Vargas' bill would take the authority to require masks away from city councils and put public health officials in charge of those decisions.

Nebraska health officials resumed reporting statistics on the virus after its online virus tracking site was down for maintenance. The state said 2,064 new cases and 20 deaths were reported over the two days between Monday and Wednesday to give Nebraska a total of 184,482 cases and 1,862 deaths.

There were 433 people hospitalized with the virus across the state Wednesday. That was down slightly from the previous day's 438.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588723042149.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Local health officials across Nebraska could gain more authority to impose restrictions related to the coronavirus under a bill in the legislature.The bill would allow local public health departments across the state to impose restrictions related to the virus or other infectious diseases, without seeking state approval.Under the current rules, Gov. Pete Ricketts' administration prevented local health officials from requiring people to wear masks when COVID-19 started spreading widely across the state last year. Later, many cities across the state took action to require masks once it became clear they had the legal authority to do so.Ricketts has steadfastly opposed mask mandates because he has said that requiring them would likely generate resistance.State Sen. Tony Vargas' bill would take the authority to require masks away from city councils and put public health officials in charge of those decisions.Nebraska health officials resumed reporting statistics on the virus after its online virus tracking site was down for maintenance. The state said 2,064 new cases and 20 deaths were reported over the two days between Monday and Wednesday to give Nebraska a total of 184,482 cases and 1,862 deaths.There were 433 people hospitalized with the virus across the state Wednesday. That was down slightly from the previous day's 438.

Proposal would give Nebraska health officials more power

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Nebraska's campaign to vaccinate people for the coronavirus is further along in some rural parts of the state.

At least half a dozen health districts across the state have already started giving vaccines to seniors living outside long-term care facilities, the Lincoln Journal Star&nbsp;<a href="https://journalstar.com/lifestyles/health-med-fit/health/vaccine-doses-remain-in-short-supply-but-lincoln-residents-can-sign-up-beginning-wednesday/article_df7bcdbe-0239-5a9f-aee2-da94a6621de2.html#tracking-source=home-top-story" target="_blank">reported</a>. Officials in Lincoln and Omaha are still working to vaccinate health care workers and residents of long-term care facilities.

Health districts based in Scottsbluff, Grand Island, Kearney, Dakota City and Burwell have all started to vaccinate older residents of the areas they serve.

State health officials have said they expected the campaign to progress at different rates throughout parts of Nebraska.

Overall, the state has administered 109,526 of the 192,078 doses of the vaccines it has received so far. Officials said Tuesday that more than 75,000 of the state's roughly 90,000 health care workers have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and shots have been administered at 428 long-term care facilities.

Nebraska reported limited numbers about the coronavirus Tuesday because the state's online virus tracking website is down for maintenance.

The state reported eight new deaths Tuesday for a total of 1,850 deaths. The number of new cases statewide wasn't released.

Health officials said the number of people hospitalized with the virus increased slightly Tuesday to 438 from the previous day's 429.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Nebraska's campaign to vaccinate people for the coronavirus is further along in some rural parts of the state.At least half a dozen health districts across the state have already started giving vaccines to seniors living outside long-term care facilities, the Lincoln Journal Star&nbsp;<a href="https://journalstar.com/lifestyles/health-med-fit/health/vaccine-doses-remain-in-short-supply-but-lincoln-residents-can-sign-up-beginning-wednesday/article_df7bcdbe-0239-5a9f-aee2-da94a6621de2.html#tracking-source=home-top-story" target="_blank">reported</a>. Officials in Lincoln and Omaha are still working to vaccinate health care workers and residents of long-term care facilities.Health districts based in Scottsbluff, Grand Island, Kearney, Dakota City and Burwell have all started to vaccinate older residents of the areas they serve.State health officials have said they expected the campaign to progress at different rates throughout parts of Nebraska.Overall, the state has administered 109,526 of the 192,078 doses of the vaccines it has received so far. Officials said Tuesday that more than 75,000 of the state's roughly 90,000 health care workers have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and shots have been administered at 428 long-term care facilities.Nebraska reported limited numbers about the coronavirus Tuesday because the state's online virus tracking website is down for maintenance.The state reported eight new deaths Tuesday for a total of 1,850 deaths. The number of new cases statewide wasn't released.Health officials said the number of people hospitalized with the virus increased slightly Tuesday to 438 from the previous day's 429.

Nebraska vaccine campaign moving faster in some rural areas

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - Nebraska teachers and meatpacking workers worry it will take longer for essential workers like them to get the coronavirus vaccine now that the next group of people to be vaccinated has been expanded to include everyone 65 and older in the state.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-nebraska-infectious-diseases-coronavirus-pandemic-18aee2c4815836d77fe9a00505d6ddce" target="_blank">expansion of the next phase</a>&nbsp;in the vaccination campaign, which is slated to start statewide next month, was announced last week. State health officials haven't said how people will be prioritized within that new larger group, but the Douglas County Health Department in Nebraska's largest city said Tuesday that people 65 and older will get the vaccine first in Omaha ahead of essential workers.

Tim Royers, who is president of the Millard Education Association, said teachers in his district were disappointed to hear that they now aren't likely to get their shots until March at the earliest. Previously, they had been told they would start getting the vaccine either at the end of January or in early February.

"We're already seeing the impact, and it's having a demoralizing effect on teachers," Royers&nbsp;<a href="https://omaha.com/lifestyles/health-med-fit/nebraskas-essential-workers-worry-they-wont-get-covid-vaccine-anytime-soon/article_496c9f7e-5689-11eb-9404-abda17581894.html#tracking-source=home-top-story" target="_blank">said&nbsp;</a>to the Omaha World-Herald. Millard, like many districts in the state, has been holding classes in-person all year.

Eric Reeder, president of the United Food &amp; Commercial Workers Union Local 293, said he's not happy that the food production workers he represents will have to wait longer to get the vaccine. Before last week, only people 75 and older were slated to be included in the same vaccine group as essential workers.

"These people are already in high-risk positions," he said because meatpacking and other food plants have generally continued operating throughout the pandemic despite virus outbreaks at those facilities.

Health officials have estimated that it could take four months to get all the people included in this next phase of the vaccine campaign inoculated. But they said that pace could be accelerated if the state were to receive more doses of the vaccine than it has been getting.

"It's a lot of competition," said Phil Rooney, spokesman for the Douglas County Health Department. "Get more vaccine, and it solves the problem pretty quickly."

The state said Tuesday it has administered 106,940 of the 191,539 doses of the vaccine it has received so far. Health care workers and residents and workers at long-term care facilities have been getting the vaccine first in the initial phase of the campaign.

Angie Ling, who is overseeing the vaccination campaign for the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, said the state hopes that the federal government will increase its allotment of vaccines "so we can get those shots in arms even faster."

Nebraska reported 440 new cases and five deaths Monday to give the state a total of 182,418 cases and 1,842 deaths since the pandemic began.

Over the past two weeks, the seven-day rolling average of daily new cases in Nebraska has decreased from 1,003.71 new cases per day on Jan. 4 to 850.29 new cases per day on Monday.

The state said the number of people hospitalized with the virus remained at 429 Monday. That number is less than half the November peak of 987 but it remains higher than it was earlier in the fall.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1608071469793.jpg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - Nebraska teachers and meatpacking workers worry it will take longer for essential workers like them to get the coronavirus vaccine now that the next group of people to be vaccinated has been expanded to include everyone 65 and older in the state.The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-nebraska-infectious-diseases-coronavirus-pandemic-18aee2c4815836d77fe9a00505d6ddce" target="_blank">expansion of the next phase</a>&nbsp;in the vaccination campaign, which is slated to start statewide next month, was announced last week. State health officials haven't said how people will be prioritized within that new larger group, but the Douglas County Health Department in Nebraska's largest city said Tuesday that people 65 and older will get the vaccine first in Omaha ahead of essential workers.Tim Royers, who is president of the Millard Education Association, said teachers in his district were disappointed to hear that they now aren't likely to get their shots until March at the earliest. Previously, they had been told they would start getting the vaccine either at the end of January or in early February."We're already seeing the impact, and it's having a demoralizing effect on teachers," Royers&nbsp;<a href="https://omaha.com/lifestyles/health-med-fit/nebraskas-essential-workers-worry-they-wont-get-covid-vaccine-anytime-soon/article_496c9f7e-5689-11eb-9404-abda17581894.html#tracking-source=home-top-story" target="_blank">said&nbsp;</a>to the Omaha World-Herald. Millard, like many districts in the state, has been holding classes in-person all year.Eric Reeder, president of the United Food &amp; Commercial Workers Union Local 293, said he's not happy that the food production workers he represents will have to wait longer to get the vaccine. Before last week, only people 75 and older were slated to be included in the same vaccine group as essential workers."These people are already in high-risk positions," he said because meatpacking and other food plants have generally continued operating throughout the pandemic despite virus outbreaks at those facilities.Health officials have estimated that it could take four months to get all the people included in this next phase of the vaccine campaign inoculated. But they said that pace could be accelerated if the state were to receive more doses of the vaccine than it has been getting."It's a lot of competition," said Phil Rooney, spokesman for the Douglas County Health Department. "Get more vaccine, and it solves the problem pretty quickly."The state said Tuesday it has administered 106,940 of the 191,539 doses of the vaccine it has received so far. Health care workers and residents and workers at long-term care facilities have been getting the vaccine first in the initial phase of the campaign.Angie Ling, who is overseeing the vaccination campaign for the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, said the state hopes that the federal government will increase its allotment of vaccines "so we can get those shots in arms even faster."Nebraska reported 440 new cases and five deaths Monday to give the state a total of 182,418 cases and 1,842 deaths since the pandemic began.Over the past two weeks, the seven-day rolling average of daily new cases in Nebraska has decreased from 1,003.71 new cases per day on Jan. 4 to 850.29 new cases per day on Monday.The state said the number of people hospitalized with the virus remained at 429 Monday. That number is less than half the November peak of 987 but it remains higher than it was earlier in the fall.

Nebraska workers worry about new delay in getting vaccine

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - The number of people hospitalized with the coronavirus in Nebraska has dropped to its lowest point in nearly three months, according to state statistics.

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.

The number of new daily cases jumped on Sunday, to 1.061 from 741 on Saturday and 672 on Friday, but was still well below the record 3,440 cases recorded on Nov. 16. State officials have confirmed 181,978 cases and 1,837 deaths in Nebraska since the pandemic began.

As of Sunday, the state had the 36th-highest rate of infection, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. That's a vast improvement from two months ago, when Nebraska has the sixth-highest rate of new virus cases in the nation.

The seven-day rolling average of daily new cases in Nebraska has improved over the past two weeks, dropping from more than 989 new cases a day on Jan. 3 to nearly 756 new cases per day on Sunday.

The positivity rate in Nebraska has also improved over the past two weeks, going from 10.09% on Jan. 3 to 8.73% on Sunday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607533145227.jpg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - The number of people hospitalized with the coronavirus in Nebraska has dropped to its lowest point in nearly three months, according to state statistics.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.The number of new daily cases jumped on Sunday, to 1.061 from 741 on Saturday and 672 on Friday, but was still well below the record 3,440 cases recorded on Nov. 16. State officials have confirmed 181,978 cases and 1,837 deaths in Nebraska since the pandemic began.As of Sunday, the state had the 36th-highest rate of infection, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. That's a vast improvement from two months ago, when Nebraska has the sixth-highest rate of new virus cases in the nation.The seven-day rolling average of daily new cases in Nebraska has improved over the past two weeks, dropping from more than 989 new cases a day on Jan. 3 to nearly 756 new cases per day on Sunday.The positivity rate in Nebraska has also improved over the past two weeks, going from 10.09% on Jan. 3 to 8.73% on Sunday.

Nebraska COVID hospitalizations drop to lowest since Oct. 26

OAKLAND, Neb. -- Nebraska lawmakers are considering a bill to provide some relief for meat supply chains by allowing consumers to purchase smaller ownership shares of livestock. Aunbrea Zeleny with the Oakland Meat Processing Plant said&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/107/PDF/Intro/LB324.pdf" target="_blank">Legislative Bill 324</a>&nbsp;would help more Nebraskans who have struggled to find meat at grocery stores during the coronavirus pandemic access food from trusted local sources. "The people that aren't able to purchase a $700 quarter, being able to just get that piece of what they need, whether it be the roast, a couple of steaks, some hamburger," Zeleny explained. "This is going to get you to your local farmer's freezer." LB 324 is similar to steps taken by Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Oregon and Wyoming to increase local meat-processor capacity. Industry groups representing large-scale producers warned the measure could compromise food safety because consumers could purchase shares of animals processed at sites where U.S. Department of Agriculture inspectors are not required to be present. Johnathan Hladik, policy director at the Center for Rural Affairs said local lockers must follow both state and federal regulations for food safety, which allow processing without on-site inspectors for personal use. He added small businesses preparing meat are seasoned professionals with a lot at stake. "These business owners take their job very seriously, and they know their reputation is on the line," Hladik maintained. "And they are not going to let contaminated meat or unsuitable meat into the market because they know that comes back to them and they know that ends their business." Hladik noted the measure also could boost economic growth especially in rural areas. Zeleny suggested local lockers can play a role in breaking the current bottleneck where farmers are waiting up to two years to get animals processed. "Funding will help us be able to build a new building, and will help us keep feeding our local community and surrounding communities," Zeleny contended. The bill was introduced last week by Sen. Tom Brandt, Plymouth, joined by 19 co-sponsors.

From Nebraska News ConnectionBy Eric GalatasOAKLAND, Neb. -- Nebraska lawmakers are considering a bill to provide some relief for meat supply chains by allowing consumers to purchase smaller ownership shares of livestock. Aunbrea Zeleny with the Oakland Meat Processing Plant said&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/107/PDF/Intro/LB324.pdf" target="_blank">Legislative Bill 324</a>&nbsp;would help more Nebraskans who have struggled to find meat at grocery stores during the coronavirus pandemic access food from trusted local sources. "The people that aren't able to purchase a $700 quarter, being able to just get that piece of what they need, whether it be the roast, a couple of steaks, some hamburger," Zeleny explained. "This is going to get you to your local farmer's freezer." LB 324 is similar to steps taken by Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Oregon and Wyoming to increase local meat-processor capacity. Industry groups representing large-scale producers warned the measure could compromise food safety because consumers could purchase shares of animals processed at sites where U.S. Department of Agriculture inspectors are not required to be present. Johnathan Hladik, policy director at the Center for Rural Affairs said local lockers must follow both state and federal regulations for food safety, which allow processing without on-site inspectors for personal use. He added small businesses preparing meat are seasoned professionals with a lot at stake. "These business owners take their job very seriously, and they know their reputation is on the line," Hladik maintained. "And they are not going to let contaminated meat or unsuitable meat into the market because they know that comes back to them and they know that ends their business." Hladik noted the measure also could boost economic growth especially in rural areas. Zeleny suggested local lockers can play a role in breaking the current bottleneck where farmers are waiting up to two years to get animals processed. "Funding will help us be able to build a new building, and will help us keep feeding our local community and surrounding communities," Zeleny contended. The bill was introduced last week by Sen. Tom Brandt, Plymouth, joined by 19 co-sponsors.

Lawmakers urged to break meat supply-chain logjam

LOS ANGELES (AP) — California’s state epidemiologist is urging a halt to more than 300,000 coronavirus vaccinations using a Moderna vaccine version because some people received medical treatment for possible severe allergic reactions.

Dr. Erica S. Pan on Sunday recommended providers stop using lot 41L20A of the Moderna vaccine pending completion of an investigation by state officials, Moderna, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and the federal Food and Drug Administration.

“Out of an extreme abundance of caution and also recognizing the extremely limited supply of vaccine, we are recommending that providers use other available vaccine inventory,” Pan said in a statement.

She said more than 330,000 doses from the lot arrived in California between Jan. 5 and Jan. 12 and were distributed to 287 providers.

Fewer than 10 people, who all received the vaccine at the same community site, needed medical attention over a 24-hour period, Pan said. No other similar clusters were found.

Pan did not specify the number of cases involved or where they occurred.

However, six San Diego health care workers had allergic reactions to vaccines they received at a mass vaccination center on Jan. 14. The site was temporarily closed and is now using other vaccines, KTGV-TV reported.

Moderna in a statement said the company “is unaware of comparable adverse events from other vaccination centers which may have administered vaccines from the same lot.”

The CDC has said COVID-19 vaccines can cause side effects for a few days that include fever, chills, headache, swelling or tiredness, “which are normal signs that your body is building protection.”

However, severe reactions are extremely rare. Pan said in a vaccine similar to Moderna, the rate of anaphylaxis — in which an immune system reaction can block breathing and cause blood pressure to drop — was about 1 in 100,000.

The announcement came as California counties continue to plead for more COVID-19 vaccine as the state tries to reduce its rate of infection, which has led to record numbers of hospitalizations and deaths.

California, with a population of 40 million, has shipped about about 3.2 million doses of the vaccine — which requires two doses for full immunization — to local health departments and health care systems, the state’s Department of Public Health reported Monday.

Only about 1.4 million of those doses, or around 40%, have been administered.

So far. the state has vaccinated fewer than 2,500 people per 100,000 residents, a rate that falls well below the national average, according to federal data.

Although Gov. Gavin Newsom announced last week that anyone age 65 and older would be eligible to start receiving the vaccine, Los Angeles County and some others have said they do not have enough doses to vaccinate so many people and are first concentrating on inoculating health care workers and the most vulnerable elderly living in care homes.

On Monday, the superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District sent a letter to state and county public health officials asking for authorization to provide COVID-19 vaccinations at schools for staff, local community members and for students once a vaccine for children has been approved.

“Doing so will help reopen schools as soon as possible, and in the safest way possible,” Superintendent Austin Beutner wrote.

California is nearing 3 million coronavirus cases and more than 33,600 people have died since the start of the pandemic last year, according to figures from Johns Hopkins University.

The death rate from COVID-19 in Los Angeles County — the nation’s most populous and an epicenter of the state pandemic — works out to about one person every six minutes.

On Sunday, the South Coast Air Quality Management District suspended some pollution-control limits on the number of cremations for at least 10 days in order to deal with a backlog of bodies at hospitals and funeral homes.

“The current rate of death is more than double that of pre-pandemic years,” the agency said.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — California’s state epidemiologist is urging a halt to more than 300,000 coronavirus vaccinations using a Moderna vaccine version because some people received medical treatment for possible severe allergic reactions.Dr. Erica S. Pan on Sunday recommended providers stop using lot 41L20A of the Moderna vaccine pending completion of an investigation by state officials, Moderna, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and the federal Food and Drug Administration.“Out of an extreme abundance of caution and also recognizing the extremely limited supply of vaccine, we are recommending that providers use other available vaccine inventory,” Pan said in a statement.She said more than 330,000 doses from the lot arrived in California between Jan. 5 and Jan. 12 and were distributed to 287 providers.Fewer than 10 people, who all received the vaccine at the same community site, needed medical attention over a 24-hour period, Pan said. No other similar clusters were found.Pan did not specify the number of cases involved or where they occurred.However, six San Diego health care workers had allergic reactions to vaccines they received at a mass vaccination center on Jan. 14. The site was temporarily closed and is now using other vaccines, KTGV-TV reported.Moderna in a statement said the company “is unaware of comparable adverse events from other vaccination centers which may have administered vaccines from the same lot.”The CDC has said COVID-19 vaccines can cause side effects for a few days that include fever, chills, headache, swelling or tiredness, “which are normal signs that your body is building protection.”However, severe reactions are extremely rare. Pan said in a vaccine similar to Moderna, the rate of anaphylaxis — in which an immune system reaction can block breathing and cause blood pressure to drop — was about 1 in 100,000.The announcement came as California counties continue to plead for more COVID-19 vaccine as the state tries to reduce its rate of infection, which has led to record numbers of hospitalizations and deaths.California, with a population of 40 million, has shipped about about 3.2 million doses of the vaccine — which requires two doses for full immunization — to local health departments and health care systems, the state’s Department of Public Health reported Monday.Only about 1.4 million of those doses, or around 40%, have been administered.So far. the state has vaccinated fewer than 2,500 people per 100,000 residents, a rate that falls well below the national average, according to federal data.Although Gov. Gavin Newsom announced last week that anyone age 65 and older would be eligible to start receiving the vaccine, Los Angeles County and some others have said they do not have enough doses to vaccinate so many people and are first concentrating on inoculating health care workers and the most vulnerable elderly living in care homes.On Monday, the superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District sent a letter to state and county public health officials asking for authorization to provide COVID-19 vaccinations at schools for staff, local community members and for students once a vaccine for children has been approved.“Doing so will help reopen schools as soon as possible, and in the safest way possible,” Superintendent Austin Beutner wrote.California is nearing 3 million coronavirus cases and more than 33,600 people have died since the start of the pandemic last year, according to figures from Johns Hopkins University.The death rate from COVID-19 in Los Angeles County — the nation’s most populous and an epicenter of the state pandemic — works out to about one person every six minutes.On Sunday, the South Coast Air Quality Management District suspended some pollution-control limits on the number of cremations for at least 10 days in order to deal with a backlog of bodies at hospitals and funeral homes.“The current rate of death is more than double that of pre-pandemic years,” the agency said.

Health official urges stop to 300K vaccines after some fall ill

By JULIE APPLEBY <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-01-14/private-practice-doctors-patients-wonder-when-its-their-turn-for-the-covid-19-vaccine">Kaiser Health News</a>

Dr. Andrew Carroll — a family doctor in Chandler, Arizona — wants to 
help his patients get immunized against covid, so he paid more than 
$4,000 to buy an ultra-low-temperature freezer from eBay needed to store
 the Pfizer vaccine.

But he’s not sure he’ll get a chance to use 
it, given health officials have so far not said when private doctor’s 
offices will get vaccine.

Not
 only are doctors having trouble getting vaccine for patients, but many 
of the community-based physicians and medical staff that aren’t employed
 by hospitals or health systems also report mixed results in getting 
inoculated. Some have had their shots, yet others are still waiting, 
even though health workers providing direct care to patients are in the 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s top-priority group.

By JULIE APPLEBY <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-01-14/private-practice-doctors-patients-wonder-when-its-their-turn-for-the-covid-19-vaccine">Kaiser Health News</a>Dr. Andrew Carroll — a family doctor in Chandler, Arizona — wants to 
help his patients get immunized against covid, so he paid more than 
$4,000 to buy an ultra-low-temperature freezer from eBay needed to store
 the Pfizer vaccine.But he’s not sure he’ll get a chance to use 
it, given health officials have so far not said when private doctor’s 
offices will get vaccine.“I’m really angry,” said Carroll.Not
 only are doctors having trouble getting vaccine for patients, but many 
of the community-based physicians and medical staff that aren’t employed
 by hospitals or health systems also report mixed results in getting 
inoculated. Some have had their shots, yet others are still waiting, 
even though health workers providing direct care to patients are in the 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s top-priority group.Many
 of these doctors say they don’t know when — or if — they will get doses
 for their patients, which will soon become a bigger issue as states 
attempt to vaccinate more people.“The reason that’s important is 
patients trust their doctors when it comes to the vaccine,” said 
Carroll, who has complained on social media that his county hasn’t yet 
released plans on how primary care doctors will be brought into the 
loop.Collectively, physicians in the county could vaccinate 
thousands of patients a day, he said, and might draw some who would 
otherwise be hesitant if they had to go to a large hospital, a 
fairground or another central site.His concern comes as, 
nationally, the rollout of the vaccine is off to a slower start than 
expected, lagging far behind the initial goal of giving 20 million doses
 before the new year.But Dr. Jen Brull, a family practice doctor 
in Plainville, Kansas, said her rural area has made good progress on the
 first phase of vaccinations, crediting close working relationships 
formed well before the pandemic.This fall, before any doses 
became available, the local hospital, the health department and 
physician offices coordinated a sign-up list for medical workers who 
wanted the vaccine. So, when their county, with a population of 5,000, 
got its first 70 doses, they were ready to go. Another 80 doses came a 
week later.“We’ll be able to vaccinate almost all the health care-associated folks who wanted it in the county” Brull said recently<h2>Gaps in the Rollout</h2>But that’s not the case everywhere.Dr.
 Jason Goldman, an internist in Coral Springs, Florida, said he was able
 to get vaccinated at a local hospital that received the bulk of 
vaccines in his county and oversaw distribution.In the weeks since, however, he said several of his front-line staff members still “don’t have access to the vaccine.”Additionally,
 “a tremendous number” of patients are calling his office because 
Florida has relaxed distribution guidelines to include anyone over age 
65, Goldman said, asking when they can get the vaccine. He’s applied to 
officials about distributing the vaccines through his practice but has 
heard nothing back.Patients “are frustrated that they do not have
 clear answers and that I am not being given clear answers to provide 
them,” he said. “We have no choice but to direct them to the health 
department and some of the hospital systems.”Another troubling 
point for Goldman, who served as a liaison between the American College 
of Physicians and the expert panel drawing up the CDC distribution 
guidelines, is the tremendous variation in how those recommendations are
 being implemented in the states.The CDC <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations-process.html" target="_blank">recommends</a>
 several phases, with front-line health care workers and nursing home 
residents and staff in the initial group. Then, in the second part of 
that phase, come people over 75 and non-health care front-line workers, 
which could include first responders, teachers and other designated 
essential workers.States have the flexibility to design their own
 rollout schedule and priority groups. Florida, for example, is offering
 doses to anyone 65 and up. In some counties, older folks were told 
vaccines were available on a first-come, first-served basis, a move that
 has resulted in long lines.“To say right now, 65-plus, when you 
haven’t even appropriately vaccinated all the health care workers, is 
negating the phasing,” said Goldman. “There needs to be a national 
standard. We have those guidelines. We need to come up with some 
oversight.”On Thursday, the American Hospital Association echoed 
that concern in a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Alex 
Azar. Hospitals — along with health departments and large pharmacy 
chains — are doing the bulk of the vaccinations.Calling for additional coordination by federal officials, the <a href="https://www.aha.org/system/files/media/file/2021/01/aha-hhs-leadership-actions-needed-expedite-administration-covid-19-vaccines-lettetr-1-7-20.pdf" target="_blank">letter</a>
 outlined what it would take to reach the goal of vaccinating 75% of 
Americans by the end of May: 1.8 million vaccinations every day. Noting 
there are 64 different rollout plans from states, cities and other 
jurisdictions, the letter asked whether HHS has “assessed whether these 
plans, taken as a whole, are capable of achieving this level of 
vaccination?”<h2>Making It Work</h2>Lack of direct national 
support or strategy means each county is essentially on its own, with 
success or failure affected by available resources and the experience of
 local officials. Most state and local health departments are 
underfunded and are under intense pressure because of the surging 
pandemic.Still, the success of vaccination efforts depends on planning, preparation and clear communication.In
 Lorain County, Ohio, population 310,000, local officials started 
practicing in October, said Mark Adams, deputy health commissioner. They
 set up mass vaccination clinics for influenza to study what would be 
needed for a covid vaccination effort. How many staff? What would the 
traffic flow be like? Could patients be kept 6 feet apart?“That 
gave us an idea of what is good, what is bad and what needs to change,” 
said Adams, who has had previous experience coordinating mass 
vaccination efforts at a county level.So, when the county got its
 first shipment of 500 doses Dec. 21, Adams had his plan ready. He 
called the fire chiefs to invite all emergency medical technicians and 
affiliated personnel to an ad hoc vaccination center set up at a large 
entertainment venue staffed by his health department. Upon arrival, 
people were greeted at the door and directed to spaced-apart “lanes” 
where they would get their shots, then to a monitoring area where they 
could wait for 15 minutes to make sure they didn’t have a reaction.Right
 after Christmas, another 400 doses arrived — and the makeshift clinic 
opened again. This time, doses went to community-based physicians, 
dentists and other hands-on medical practitioners, 600 of whom had 
previously signed up. (Hospital workers and nursing home staff and 
residents are getting their vaccinations through their own 
institutions.)As they move into the next phase — recipients 
include residents over 80, people with developmental disorders and 
school staff — the challenges will grow, he said. The county plans a 
multipronged approach to notify people when it’s their turn, including 
use of a website, the local media, churches, other organizations and 
word-of-mouth.Adams shares the concerns of medical providers 
nationwide: He gets only two days’ notice of how many doses he’s going 
to receive and, at the current pace of 400 or 500 doses a week, it’s 
going to take a while before most residents in the county have a chance 
to get a shot, including the estimated 33,000 people 65 and older.With
 10 nurses, his clinic can inject about 1,200 people a day. But many 
other health professionals have volunteered to administer the shots if 
he gets more doses.“If I were to run three clinics, five days a 
week, I could do 15,000 vaccinations a week,” Adams said. “With all the 
volunteers, I could do almost six clinics, or 30,000 a week.”Still,
 for those in the last public group, those age 18 and up without 
underlying medical conditions, “it could be summer,” Adams said.<a href="http://www.kaiserhealthnews.org/" target="_blank">Kaiser Health News</a>&nbsp;is a national health policy news service. It is an editorially independent program of the <a href="http://www.kff.org/" target="_blank">Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation</a> which is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente.

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