Wednesday, May 18, 2022

Get free at-?home COVID-?19 tests

Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order a third round of free at-home tests. Order yours today at:

https://www.covid.gov/tests

Need help placing an order for your at-?home tests? Call 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489).

Therapeutic COVID Treatments Widely Available

Although COVID-19 hospitalizations have decreased, some high-risk patients are becoming ill enough to require hospital admission. For people who are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19 infection, medications and therapeutic treatments that can reduce your chances of severe illness and death are widely available.

Early treatment with authorized or approved therapeutics could make a difference. For more information on these treatment options, contact your health care provider.

124* New Cases and 2 Deaths Reported Since May 11

NEW POSITIVES

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

124* new positive cases reported since May 11.
Total positive cases/individuals reported to date = 26,449

* 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

7 County Hospitalizations: Today, MercyOne Dubuque Medical Center has 4 inpatients with COVID-19 and UnityPoint Health – Finley Hospital has 3 inpatients hospitalized with COVID for a total of 7 persons hospitalized with COVID in Dubuque County.

COMMUNITY LEVEL

Dubuque County COVID-19 Community Level = LOW

CDC Guidance for Low Community Level:

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
If you are immunocompromised or high risk for severe disease:
- 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

COMMUNITY TRANSMISSION LEVEL

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. An increase in Community Transmission Level may soon be reflected in a change to the county's COVID-19 Community Level, which remains at LOW as of May 5, 2022.

Dubuque County is currently at a HIGH level of community transmission of COVID-19. Click here to visit the CDC's COVID Data Tracker site.

DEATHS

2 new deaths reported since May 11.
Total deaths related to COVID to date = 297

VACCINATIONS

64.7% of all county residents are fully vaccinated
56.2% of all county residents fully vaccinated have received a booster

For current information on Dubuque County vaccination opportunities, visit www.dubuquecounty.org/sleevesup.

For information on local COVID-19 testing options, visit www.dubuquecounty.org/covidtesting

Please do not reply to this message. If you have general questions about COVID-19, please call 563.556.6200.

To subscribe to these updates, visit www.cityofdubuque.org/getcovidupdates