Wednesday, July 6, 2022

More Transmissable Omicron Subvariants Now Dominant

Hospitalizations and New Cases Increasing

The more transmissible Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants are now dominant in all parts of the United States, with BA.5 again steadily expanding its scope, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported in its latest weekly estimates. Combined, the two subvariants make up more than 70% of recently sequenced samples, up sharply from 52% the previous week.

Hospitalizations are rising as the volume of cases picks up, but so far, there's no sign that illnesses involving the subvariants are more severe.

CDC Guidance for Travel

Do you have travel plans this summer?

Make sure you are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines before travel.
Check your destination’s COVID-19 situation before traveling. State, tribal, local, and territorial governments may have travel restrictions in place.
Wearing a mask over your nose and mouth is recommended in indoor areas of public transportation (including airplanes) and indoors in U.S. transportation hubs (including airports).
Do not travel if you have COVID-19 symptoms, tested positive for COVID-19, are waiting for results of a COVID-19 test, or had close contact with a person with COVID-19 and are recommended to quarantine.

The CDC offers resources and additional guidance to help you travel safely. For more information, visit:

www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html

184* New Cases Reported Since June 29

NEW POSITIVES

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

184* new positive cases reported since June 29.
Total positive cases/individuals reported to date = 27,585

* 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

12* County Hospitalizations: Today, MercyOne Dubuque Medical Center has 3 inpatients with COVID-19 and UnityPoint Health – Finley Hospital has 9 inpatients hospitalized with COVID for a total of 12 persons hospitalized with COVID in Dubuque County.
* This is the highest hospitalization count since Feb. 2, 2022.

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

No new deaths reported since June 1.
Total deaths related to COVID to date = 299

VACCINATIONS

65% of all county residents are fully vaccinated
57% 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