COVID-19 transmission high in Jasper County

The level of community transmission of COVID-19 is high in Jasper County, according to data collected by the Centers For Disease Control & Prevention.

Becky Pryor, administrator of Jasper County Health Department, told Newton News Aug. 13 the best way to decrease the level of community transmission is for citizens to get a COVID-19 vaccine, stay at home when feeling sick, wear a mask and to social distance as much as possible.

Less than 48 percent of the total population of Jasper County — or 17,792 people — have been fully vaccinated, the CDC’s COVID Data Tracker says. More than 37,000 people live in Jasper County, about 7,200 of which are above the age of 65; about 81 percent of that population is fully vaccinated.

CDC data says Jasper County has reported 52 cases of COVID-19 and no deaths in the past seven days ending Aug. 11. The county has issued 386 tests and its positivity rate is at 15.28 percent based on data collected through Aug. 9. Five people have been newly admitted to the hospital as of Aug. 10.

As of Aug. 11, Jasper County has eight confirmed COVID-19 patients in the hospital, at a time when 330 people across the state have been hospitalized. Another 25 Iowans have been hospitalized due to COVID-19 in out-of-state health care facilities.

Currently, the predominant strain of COVID-19 in the United States is the delta variant, which the CDC says is highly contagious — twice as much as previous variants. Pryor said public health acknowledges people who are unvaccinated have a high likelihood to acquire COVID-19.

“We encourage anyone that is unvaccinated to get the COVID vaccine now,” Pryor told Newton News. “We also have concerns due to the lack of available healthcare workers such as nurses and nursing assistants which limits the capacity of the healthcare facilities.

“We are most worried about more people getting sick and dying from COVID.COVID vaccines are highly effective including against the delta variant according to the CDC. Newton Clinic and Medicap in Newton have COVID vaccine available now.”

WHERE DO I GET VACCINATED IN NEWTON?

Vaccines for anyone over the age of 12 are available at Newton Clinic. Medicap Pharmacy in Newton offers COVID-19 vaccine to anyone 18 and older. Hy-Vee also has vaccine available, no appointments necessary.

HOW DO I GET TESTED FOR COVID?

Now that Test Iowa sites have ceased operations, at-home test kits can be provided to Iowans free of charge. Register for free at-home test kits at https://covid19testingia.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9nLk7J5qPv6apIa.

Free, at-home COVID-19 test kits are also available online at www.covid19testingia.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6fGAiMnfkRQXDxA

Contact Christopher Braunschweig at 641-792-3121 ext. 6560 or cbraunschweig@newtondailynews.com