Huge spike in COVID cases in 3 area counties
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According to statistics compiled by the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) by September 27, the number of new COVID cases over the past seven days has spiked in Adams, Clarke and Union counties over the past week:
Union 57
Clarke 47
Adams 28
Decatur 17
Taylor 8
Ringgold 3
Ringgold County Public Health reports the following data for the county:
COVID-19 data as of Tuesday per local disease surveillance site DOMO shows Ringgold County has had 10 positive cases in the last 14 days and 5 positive cases in the last 7 days.
State-wide data per local disease surveillance site DOMO shows 51.1% of all residents in Iowa are fully vaccinated. For Ringgold County the same data is 45.7%.
According to CDC data, 53% of all vaccine-eligible residents in Ringgold County are fully vaccinated.
Ongoing Updates:
The state site at: https://coronavirus.iowa.gov/ is updated now on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. As of 9/27/2021, those not fully vaccinated account for 85.3 % of all COVID-19 patients in ICU and 78.1 % of all COVID-19-related hospitalized patients.
The US Food and Drug Administration has granted full approval for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Current approval is for those 16 years of age and older. It continues to be available under the emergency use authorization (EUA) for those 12 through 15 years of age and a third dose in those with moderate to severe illness that impacts the immune system.*
Third doses of Moderna and Pfizer vaccine are available 4 weeks after the last booster for those with moderate to severe illness that impacts the immune system* Third doses of Pfizer are also available for others at least 6 months after their second dose for the following: people 65 or older and residents of long-term care, those 18 to 64 with underlying medical conditions, and those age 18-64 with increased risk due to occupational or institutional setting. (Third doses for Moderna and J&J continue to be evaluated per federal protocol. More information is expected soon.)
Masks are encouraged in order to minimize virus transmission.
Vaccine is available at the following locations:
Hy-Vee or Medicap Pharmacy in Mount Ayr offer Moderna vaccine for 18 years and older
Mount Ayr Medical Clinic offers Moderna vaccine for 18 years and older
Ringgold County Public Health offers Pfizer vaccine for 12 years and older and Moderna vaccine for 18 years and older
Testing is available through your medical care provider with an appointment or from free at-home test kits at Ringgold County Public Health.
Influenza and COVID-19 vaccine can be given at the same time.
Current mitigation guidelines are listed below:
Persons sick with COVID-19 are considered infectious 48 hours prior to symptom onset until:
• At least 10 days since symptoms first appeared AND,
• At least 24 hours with no fever without fever-reducing medication AND,
• Other symptoms of COVID-19 are improving.
Persons with severe, advanced immunosuppression should stay home longer than 10 days, until:
• Two negative test results in a row, at least 24 hours apart OR
• 20 days post symptom onset or date of test.
Persons who tested positive for COVID-19 but did not develop symptoms are considered infectious 48 hours prior to date of specimen collection until:
• 10 days have passed following the date the positive specimen was collected.
Unvaccinated, asymptomatic contacts (those who were within 6 feet for 15 minutes without wearing appropriate masks by both parties) are advised to stay home to monitor for symptoms.
To help further reduce risk of spreading the virus, unvaccinated persons who are exposed but remain healthy (no symptoms) are advised to stay home to monitor for symptoms. This approach can help to reduce the risk of spread to other people, especially vulnerable populations. Individuals exposed to COVID-19 may develop symptoms from 2-14 days after exposure. However, exposed individuals can reduce the length of time they are recommended to stay home from 14 days via the following options:
• Stay home through Day 10 if no symptoms have developed.
• Stay home through Day 7 if the exposed person tests negative and no symptoms have developed. The specimen must be collected within 48 hours before leaving the home (i.e. not earlier than Day 5).
In all cases, the individual should continue to monitor for symptoms and is recommended to wear a mask when around others through Day 14 in order to minimize risk of spread.
Vaccinated contacts do not need to stay home, but should monitor for symptoms and get tested.
Fully vaccinated people with no COVID-like symptoms do not need to stay home following an exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19. However, fully vaccinated people should still self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 for 14 days following an exposure. In addition, vaccinated contacts should get tested 3-5 days after exposure, even if they don’t have symptoms, and wear a mask indoors in public for 14 days following exposure or until their test result is negative. Fully vaccinated people who experience COVID-19 symptoms should stay home, be clinically evaluated, and be tested for COVID-19 infection if clinically indicated.
Immunocompromised definition:
• Been receiving active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood
• Received an organ transplant and are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
• Received a stem cell transplant within the last 2 years or are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
• Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge Syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome)
• Advanced or untreated HIV infection
• Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress your immune response
Call 641-464-0691 with questions or if you are interested in receiving vaccine.