Dubuque County Reaches "Substantial" Level of Community Transmission of COVID-19
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has changed its designation of Dubuque County from a "moderate" level of community transmission of COVID-19 to "substantial."
The CDC's determination of the level of community transmission includes new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population over the last seven days and the percentage of positive diagnostic tests in the last seven days. There are four levels of transmission: low, moderate, substantial, and high.
Based on the Aug. 1-7 time period, Dubuque County's level of community transmission is substantial. Based on this designation from the CDC, the Dubuque County Public Health Incident Management team encourages all residents, regardless of their vaccination status, to follow these guidelines to reduce their risk of becoming infected with the Delta variant and potentially spreading it to others:
- Wear a mask in all public indoor settings.
- Get tested if experiencing COVID-19 symptoms (https://dubuquecounty.org/565/Local-COVID-19-Testing-Options).
- Isolate if you have tested positive for COVID-19 in the prior 10 days or are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
- Get tested 3-5 days after exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 and wear a mask in public indoor settings for 14 days after exposure or until you receive a negative test result.
- Continue to follow any applicable federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations.
People NOT Fully Vaccinated
- Get vaccinated if you can. (www.dubuquecounty.org/sleevesup or call 563-690-6253)
- Wear a mask in all public indoor settings and crowded public outdoor settings.
- Get tested if experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
Fully Vaccinated People
- Outdoor activities pose minimal risk to fully vaccinated people.
- Infections happen in only a small proportion of people who are fully vaccinated, even with the Delta variant.
- Fully vaccinated people who become infected with the Delta variant can transmit it to others.
- Fully vaccinated people might choose to mask in all settings, particularly if they or someone in their household is immunocompromised or at increased risk for severe disease, or if someone in their household is unvaccinated.
In addition to community transmission, the Dubuque County Public Health Incident Management Team will continue to monitor local health system capacity, vaccination coverage, early detection of increases in COVID-19 cases, and populations at risk for severe outcomes, as recommended by the latest CDC guidance.
For more details on the CDC's new guidance, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated-guidance.html
Level of Community Transmission in Dubuque County (SUBSTANTIAL) and other Iowa Counties, Time Period Aug. 1-7, 2021.
For current information on Dubuque County vaccination opportunities, visit www.dubuquecountyiowa.gov/sleevesup
Please do not reply to this message. If you have questions, please call 563-556-6200.
For current statewide data, please visit coronavirus.iowa.gov/