Ringgold COVID rate near zero, highest in vaccinations
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According to latest statistics compiled by the Iowa Department of Public Health, Ringgold County recorded zero positive COVID cases over the past seven days.
The number of new positive cases in the six area counties remained in the single digits over the past seven days:
Ringgold 0
Taylor 0
Adams 0
Decatur 2
Clarke 2
Union 3
These numbers from the Iowa Department of Public Health, however, differ from those from Ringgold County Public Heath.
“Although our positive case numbers have decreased dramatically, I attribute this to less testing. COVID remains active within our communities. We’ve not yet gone a full week without a positive case,” stated Becky Fletchall, RCPH Nurse Administrator.
The county’s 14-day positivity rate came in at 2.4 percent, below the 4.2 percent state average.
IDPH reports most area county percentages remained well below the state seven-day average, with the exception of Decatur County:
7d 14d
Ringgold 0.0 2.4
Taylor 0.0 1.7
Adams 0.0 2.1
Clarke 4.9 2.0
Union 2.4 1.2
State 4.1 4.2
Decatur 4.7 3.8
Ringgold County continues to rank among the fewest number of positive cases statewide since the beginning of the pandemic a year ago.
At 556 total positive cases, Ringgold County trails Adams County with 343 positive results and Audubon County with 514.
In comparison, totals from surrounding counties include 1,317 in Union, 1,046 in Clarke, 678 in Taylor, and 606 in Decatur.
In Ringgold County, 18 deaths have been directly attributed to COVID-19 with six additional deaths indirectly attributed to COVID-19 since March.
Death tolls in surrounding counties include Union – 32 (26 directly – 6 indirectly), Clarke – 24 (22-2), Taylor – 12 (10-2), Decatur – 9 (9-0), and Adams – 4 (4-0).
In the battle to combat the spread of COVID, the Iowa Department of Public Health has released the latest percentage of area residents who have completed their series of vaccinations, whether single dose or double dose:
percent
Ringgold 33.0
Adams 32.0
Clarke 30.7
Taylor 30.6
Union 27.4
Decatur 24.7
Ringgold County Public Health continues to encourage county residents to get vaccinated for COVID-19. Clinics are being held routinely at our office. Delivery within the county remains an option for those who are homebound. There is no cost for the vaccine. Anyone age 18 or over is eligible to receive the Moderna vaccine. It has been proven to be 94.1 percent effective two weeks after the second dose. To schedule an appointment, call 641-464-0691.
Hy-Vee Pharmacy continues to offer vaccination with Moderna vaccine also. Call 641-464-3300 for more information.
“We have seen a decrease in demand for vaccine,” stated Fletchall. “I encourage anyone who is uncertain to visit with their trusted medical care provider. There has been much misinformation floating around social media, but vaccination does save lives,”
Per state reporting data as of April 27, county residents have received 3,470 doses with 1,590 completing the 2-dose series. This means 33 percent of the county population is fully vaccinated. Of those fully vaccinated, 73 percent are age 65 and older and 42 percent are age 18 and older.
COVID-related statistics are updated daily at the state’s official pandemic website – coronavirus.iowa.gov.
