Wednesday, July 20, 2022

Another COVID Wave Expected

On July 15, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra renewed the public health emergency for three more months. COVID cases continue to rise as the Omicron subvariant BA5 takes over previous variants BA.2 and BA2.12.1.

In Dubuque County, all July-sequenced variants were the BA5 subvariants whereas June-sequenced variants were all BA2 and BA2.12.1 except for one BA4. With all the subvariants present in Dubuque County, the Dubuque County Public Health Incident Management Team expects another wave of new cases

These subvariants are immune evasive, meaning they can still infect those who are vaccinated, boosted, or have had COVID-19 in the past. However, vaccines and boosters are effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization, and death.

The CDC recommends COVID-19 vaccines for everyone 6 months and older and boosters for everyone 5 years and older, if eligible. Adults ages 50 years and older and people ages 12 years and older who are moderately or severely immunocompromised should get 2 boosters.

Upcoming VNA Vaccination Clinics

No appointments are necessary for these free, walk-in vaccination clinics for COVID vaccinations and boosters at the Dubuque Visiting Nurses Association at 660 Iowa St. in Dubuque:

Friday, July 22, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Friday, July 29, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 5, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Monday, Aug. 8, 3 - 6 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 12, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 19, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 26, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Monday, Aug. 29, 3 - 6 p.m.

For a complete list of vaccine providers in Dubuque County, visit www.dubuquecounty.org/sleevesup

191* New Cases and 1 Death Reported Since July 13

NEW POSITIVES

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

191* new positive cases reported since July 13.
Total positive cases/individuals reported to date = 27,954

* Due to the wide availability of at-home rapid tests, the results of which are usually not reported/recorded, 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

8 County Hospitalizations: Today, MercyOne Dubuque Medical Center has 6 inpatients with COVID-19 and UnityPoint Health – Finley Hospital has 2 inpatients hospitalized with COVID for a total of 8 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.

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

1 new death reported since June 13.
Total deaths related to COVID to date = 301

VACCINATIONS

65% of all county residents are fully vaccinated
57.2% 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