Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2022

Dubuque County Youth Vaccination Rates Low

As reported in today's issue of the Telegraph Herald, youth COVID-19 vaccination rates remain low in Dubuque County as the new school year approaches. This trend is a concern to the Dubuque County Public Health Incident Management Team because it could lead to a surge in new cases when school resumes in several weeks.

The COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for all children ages 6 months and older. Getting children vaccinated against COVID-19 protects them from getting really sick and allows them to attend childcare, school, visits to grandparents, and other activities safely.

Just like adults, children and teens of all ages can:

Get very sick from COVID-19
Have both short and long-term health problems
Spread COVID-19 to others

Children who are vaccinated get protection without risking additional illness from the effects of COVID-19. As a parent or caregiver, protect your child and gain a sense for comfort by getting them vaccinated.

If you have questions about getting your child vaccinated, please talk to your pediatrician or health care provider. For a list of vaccination providers and upcoming walk-in vaccination clinics, visit www.dubuquecountyiowa.gov/sleevesup Click on the image below to view a two-page flyer with more information.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO DOWNLOAD A FLYER

153 New Cases Reported Since Aug. 3, Community Level Returns to Medium

NEW POSITIVES

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

153* new positive cases reported since Aug. 3.
Total positive cases/individuals reported to date = 28,430

* 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

10 County Hospitalizations: Today, MercyOne Dubuque Medical Center has 4 inpatients with COVID-19 and UnityPoint Health – Finley Hospital has 6 inpatients hospitalized with COVID for a total of 10 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

* At all levels, people can wear a mask based on personal preference, informed by personal level of risk. People with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask.

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 27.
Total deaths related to COVID to date = 302

VACCINATIONS

65.2% of all county residents are fully vaccinated
57.5% 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