Waterloo Times

August 20, 2021 Black Hawk County Public Health News

 

CURRENT BLACK HAWK COUNTY COVID-19 STATUS

14.4% = 14-Day Average Percent Positive in Black Hawk County

78 New Positive Cases for 8/20/2021

62.5% of eligible BH County residents (12+) that have received at least 1 COVID-19 vaccine as of 8/15/21

Only 33.2% of ages 18-24 have received at least 1 COVID-19 vaccine as of 8/15/21

 compared to 46.7% of ages 12-17

 

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BOOSTER DOSES

 

THIRD DOSE FOR IMMUNOCOMPROMISED

 

BOOSTER DOSES FOR GENERAL PUBLIC

Available Now: third dose should be given at least 28 days after the second dose

 

Pending approval, starting September 20, a booster dose of the Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccine will be recommended for the general public 

Individuals will not need a prescription or referral to prove their eligibility

 

No categories for priority populations; vaccine to be administered 8 months after the second dose

Visit the CDC website to learn more: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/immuno.html

 

Booster doses are anticipated for people who received the Johnson and Johnson vaccine. Administration in the US did not begin until March 2021, and additional data is expected in the next few weeks. Once received, the public will be informed with a timely plan: https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/s0818-covid-19-booster-shots.html

 

PUBLIC HEALTH RECOMMENDATIONS FOR VACCINATED PERSONS EXPOSED TO COVID-19

At this time, vaccinated persons should continue to follow current practices to protect themselves and others, including wearing a mask, staying at least 6 feet away from others, avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated spaces, covering coughs and sneezes, and washing hands.

 

If you are exposed to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19, you are not required to quarantine if you are fully vaccinated, received your last dose within the past three months and remain asymptomatic after exposure. Otherwise, you should follow CDC guidance and quarantine to protect others from becoming infected: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/quarantine.html

 

TESTING & VACCINATION

Iowans have the option for at-home testing and may choose to pick up a test kit from a site in their community or have a kit sent to their home at no cost. Each test kit includes instructions on how to collect and ship the specimen. For more information and to find a location near you visit testiowa.com. 

Test kits can be picked up in Waterloo at:

• Peoples Community Health Clinic: 905 Franklin Street, Waterloo
• ACE-SAP Free Clinic: 207 Logan Avenue, Waterloo
• Hawkeye Student Health Clinic: 1501 E Orange Road, Waterloo

Other testing locations can be found throughout the community at pharmacies and health care clinics including CVS, Hy-Vee, Walgreens, MercyOne & UnityPoint Health.

COVID-19 vaccines are widely available in the community. Visit the Black Hawk County Health Department website or vaccinate.iowa.gov for additional information. Vaccines remain the most powerful tool we have against COVID-19. 

www.bhcpublichealth.org