January 14, 2022
42.7% = 14-Day Average Percent Positive in Black Hawk County
265 positive cases since yesterday
1,734 positive cases this week.
OMICRON has become the dominant variant nationwide, as well as in Iowa and Black Hawk County.
Healthcare systems are stressed, and employees are exhausted.
You can help by following these steps and sharing this information with your friends and family members.
Vaccines are still the best defense against COVID-19, including the Omicron and Delta variants, Getting people vaccinated with a COVID-19 primary vaccine series remains the highest priority and is fundamental to reducing COVID-19 related serious illness and death. The CDC recently recommended shortening the length of time between completion of the primary COVID-19 vaccination series (Pfizer or Moderna) and the booster dose may help with waning immunity. The very fast spread of the Omicron variant across the U.S. and around the world adds urgency for the need for primary and booster doses.
All COVID-19 vaccines currently approved or authorized in the United States remain effective against severe disease, hospitalization, and death. Persons of all ages who have received a primary vaccine series are much less likely than unvaccinated persons to become infected with COVID-19 and require hospitalization or die.
COVID-19 primary series vaccination is recommended for everyone ages 5 years and older in the United States. A booster dose is recommended for everyone ages 12 years and older at least 5 months after completion of Pfizer or Moderna primary series or at least 2 months after completion of a Johnson and Johnson primary dose. Children 5-11 years old are not recommended to get a booster dose at this time.
GET TESTED TO PROTECT OTHERS
As part of its ongoing efforts to expand access to testing, the Biden-Harris administration is requiring insurance companies and group health plans to cover the cost of over-the-counter, at-home COVID-19 tests. Individuals with private health coverage can get them for free starting January 15, 2022. For more information, please see visit this site: https://www.cms.gov/how-to-get-your-at-home-OTC-COVID-19-test-for-free
Iowans may also use the free at-home PCR testing through testiowa.com.
Activated and completed Test Iowa kits can be dropped off at:
Peoples Community Health Clinic
905 Franklin Street, Waterloo.
Tests received by 1 pm, Monday-Friday, will be transported the same day to the State Hygienic Lab, with results expected within 24hours. Tests dropped off after 1 pm on Friday will be delivered the following Monday. Tests can also be dropped off at any UPS location. Rapid and laboratory viral tests for COVID-19 are available through pharmacies and healthcare systems.
*Please note there will be no Test Iowa pick up on Monday, January 17 due to the holiday.
For information on what to do if you have a positive test, click here.
For information or whether therapeutic options are appropriate for you, please talk with your healthcare provider.
· Avoid indoor crowds if possible.
· Mask up in public indoor places.
· Isolate and get tested if you have symptoms.
For information related to COVID-19, visithttps://www.bhcpublichealth.org/ and follow us on Facebook(@BlackHawkCountyHealthDepartment) and Twitter (@BHCHD). Please note that the Black Hawk County Health Department offices will be closed on January 17, 2022.