News Flash

Wednesday, June 29, 2022

TRANSMISSION IS HIGH: Stay Up to Date with Your COVID-19 Vaccines  

New case counts remain high in Dubuque County and the CDC continues to designate the county as having a high transmission rate of COVID-19. 
 
 COVID-19 vaccines are effective at protecting people—especially those who are boosted— from getting seriously ill, being hospitalized, and even dying. As with other diseases, you are protected best from COVID-19 when you stay up to date with the recommended vaccines. 

• The CDC recommends COVID-19 primary series vaccines for everyone ages 6 months and older, and COVID-19 boosters for everyone ages 5 years and older, if eligible. 
• People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised have specific recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines, including boosters. Learn more about COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised. 
• Use the CDC’s COVID-19 booster tool to learn if and when you can get boosters to stay up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines. 

Follow the CDC's latest recommendations for COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters, based on the latest data related to safety and how well vaccines work, including over time and against new variants.

Incident Management Team Video Update

• Community COVID Level Update
• Testing Guidelines (Rapid vs. PCR)
• "COVID is Everywhere"
• Four Different Omicron Subvariants
• Importance of Vaccinations
• Fourth of July Gathering Safety

172* New Cases Reported Since June 22

NEW POSITIVES

https://idph.iowa.gov/Emerging-Health-Issues/Novel-Coronavirus/COVID-19-Reporting

• 172* new positive cases reported since June 22. 
• Total positive cases/individuals reported to date = 27,401

* Due to the wide availability of at-home rapid tests, the results of which are usually not reported/recorded, it is widely believed that new COVID cases are underreported. The number reported in this update is the number of new cases reported to the Iowa Department of Public Health.

HOSPITALIZATIONS

• 5 County Hospitalizations:  Today, MercyOne Dubuque Medical Center has 4 inpatients with COVID-19 and UnityPoint Health – Finley Hospital has 1 inpatient hospitalized with COVID for a total of 11 persons hospitalized with COVID in Dubuque County.

COMMUNITY LEVEL

Dubuque County COVID-19 Community Level = MEDIUM

CDC Guidance for MEDIUM Community Level: 

 If you are immunocompromised or high risk for severe disease

• Talk to your healthcare provider about whether you need to wear a mask and take other precautions (e.g., testing)
• Have a plan for rapid testing if needed (e.g., having home tests or access to testing)
• Talk to your healthcare provider about whether you are a candidate for treatments like oral antivirals, PrEP, and monoclonal antibodies

If you have household or social contact with someone at high risk for severe disease

• consider self-testing to detect infection before contact
• consider wearing a mask when indoors with them

Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines and boosters

Maintain improved ventilation throughout indoor spaces when possible.

 Follow CDC recommendations for isolation and quarantine, including getting tested if you are exposed to COVID-19 or have symptoms of COVID-19

COMMUNITY TRANSMISSION LEVEL

Dubuque County COVID-19 Community Transmission Level = HIGH
 
 The CDC's Community Transmission Level is based on the number of new cases per 100,000 population and is used by local healthcare facilities to determine internal protocol and procedures. 

DEATHS

• No new deaths reported since June 1.
• Total deaths related to COVID to date = 299

VACCINATIONS

• 64.9% of all county residents are fully vaccinated
• 56.9% of all county residents fully vaccinated have received a booster

Get current information on Dubuque County vaccination opportunities.

Get information on local COVID-19 testing options.

Please do not reply to this message.  If you have general questions about COVID-19, please call 563-556-6200.  
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