Webster County positive tests
Source: Iowa Department of Public Health

Get vaccinated or increase your risk of suffering more severely from COVID-19.

That’s the message from the Iowa Department of Public Health on the heels of an increase in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths in recent weeks.

“While there are multiple tools available to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the vaccine remains the strongest and Iowans should get vaccinated as soon as possible,” IDPH said in a written statement.

The department reported on Wednesday that the majority of current COVID-19 hospitalizations are among unvaccinated Iowans.

On Wednesday, 79% of individuals hospitalized with a primary COVID-19 diagnosis were not vaccinated and 86% of patients in the ICU were not vaccinated before becoming infected, IDPH reported.

Positive Tests Last 7 Days by Age Group
Source: Iowa Department of Public Health

The hospitalization rate is currently highest among middle age to older adults. Almost 90% of those hospitalized are age 40 and older. Children under the age of 18 account for just 2% of COVID-19 hospitalizations.

At the same time, IDPH reports that the state is in much better shape than it was in November 2020 when the state experienced its highest level of virus activity. And part of the reason for that is because of the vaccine.

“We have many tools we need to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe and the single most important tool we have is the vaccine, which is highly effective at preventing serious illness, hospitalization and death,” said Kelly Garcia, IDPH interim director. “For anyone who was waiting for the assurance of full FDA authorization, I urge you to schedule your appointment today.”

According to IDPH, preventing avoidable COVID-19 hospitalizations also helps preserve health care resources for other needs, including illnesses, injuries and emergencies.

Some Iowa hospitals have recently reported an increase in hospitalizations among children with RSV, limiting their bed capacity for other patients.

On Wednesday, IDPH reported 42 additional deaths due to COVID-19. These deaths occurred over a four-week period from July 24-Aug. 22, 2021.

Three deaths attributed to COVID-19 have been reported in Webster County since early August. The total number of deaths since March of 2020 in Webster County is 102.

The IDPH highlights these measures to protect yourself and others from COVID-19:

Get vaccinated

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 60% of Iowans 12 and older are fully vaccinated and there have been recent increases daily vaccine administration rates.

All Iowans over the age of 12 are eligible to get the COVID-29 vaccine. Vaccines are free, safe and available statewide. Find a vaccine provider at vacccinateiowa.gov. Iowans with questions about the vaccine should contact their healthcare provider. Click here for information on who is currently eligible for an additional dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Get Tested

If you or a loved one are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, get tested as soon as possible. Symptoms may include coughing, shortness of breath, fever, chills, headache, muscle pain, sore throat, or loss of taste or smell. Testing is widely available with many convenient options.

Iowans can access testing at the following locations:

• Primary Care Providers

• Urgent Care

• Local and national pharmacies

• Private labs in local communities

Test Iowa At Home:

IDPH and the State Hygienic Lab are partnering to provide Iowans free at-home test kits. These test kits are ideal for a proactive diagnosis. Examples of proactive testing:

• Before upcoming travel, or returning from travel.

• Ensuring negative status before attending events.

• Recent COVID-19 positive and want to ensure a negative result before returning to normal activities.

• To have on hand for family members in case of exposure.

Go to testiowa.com for more information, to order a test kit or find a pick-up site near you.

Iowans are urged not to visit a hospital emergency room for COVID-19 diagnostic testing, unless experiencing severe symptoms. An ER visit may expose others in a medically fragile state to the virus as well as place additional strain on hospital resources.

Seek Treatment

If you are diagnosed with COVID-19, you may be able to reduce the severity of your symptoms and prevent bad outcomes by receiving monoclonal antibodies. These antibodies can reduce the amount of virus in your body. Monoclonal antibodies do not contain the virus that causes COVID-19. It’s important to do this before your symptoms progress to ensure the best possible outcome.

Webster County COVID data reported

Over the last seven days there have been 96 positive COVID-19 cases reported in Webster County, according to the Iowa Department of Public Health.

In that time period, 7 percent of the tests conducted were positive.

The department reported that the largest percentage of those new cases, 26 percent, were in people ages 18 to 29.

Since the pandemic began, there have been 6,218 COVID-19 cases in Webster County.

The Iowa Department of Public Health reported that there have been 102 deaths in the county due to COVID-19.