COVID-19 UpdateCity of Dubuque
City Council Meeting
ITEM TITLE
SUMMARY:
SUGGESTED
DISPOSITION:
Copyrighted
October 4, 2021
Presentation(s) # 2.
COVID-19 Update
Mary Rose Corrigan, Public Health Specialist for the City of Dubuque,
will provide an update on the COVI D-19 pandemic and response
activities.
Dubuque
THE CITY OF
All-Americe City
MI N Nnl. CT-7C: I1-i4-llE.
DUB E
2007*2012*2013
Masterpiece on the Mississippi 2017*2019
TO: Mike Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Mary Rose Corrigan, Public Health Specialist
SUBJECT: COVID-19 City Council update
DATE: Sept Oct 4, 2021
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Health Services Department
City Hall Annex
1300 Main Street
Dubuque, IA 52001
Office (563) 589-4181
Fax (563) 589-4299
TTY (563) 589-4193
health@cityofdubuque.org
www.cityofdubuque.org
The Dubuque County Public Health Incident Management (IMT) team consisting of City
of Dubuque Health Services Department (Mary Rose Corrigan) Dubuque County Health
Department, (Patrice Lambert) VNA (Stacey Killian) and the Dubuque County
Emergency Management Agency (Tom Berger), along with both hospitals continue in
full activation. The IMT also consists of county Health Department Assistant Director,
Samantha Kloft and City of Dubuque Health Services Department Environmental
Sanitarians Tim Link and Sydney Moquin. We are coordinating our response efforts in
conjunction with the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH), and with guidance from
CDC via weekly webinars and direct contact with our regional
epidemiologist. Randy Gehl serves as the Public Information (PIO) officer for the
IMT. Another section of the IMT is vulnerable populations, led by Kelly Larson, Human
Rights Director. The vulnerable populations section is assisted by the Equity Immersion
Committee and many community partners.
CURRENT INFORMATION
Current case counts and other related COVID -19 data can be found
at www.coronavirus.iowa.gov.
• A map on the Vaccine Page shows the vaccination numbers from CDC as well
as Iowa data.
• A link to an Monoclonal antibodies treatment finder on the homepage to
encourage Iowans with COVID-19 to seek this treatment in their communities.
Data Via CDC:
httos://covid. cdc.aov/covid-data-tracker/#datatracker-home
Vaccination scheduling and access information can be found at
https://www.cityofdubugue.org/2965/COVID-19-Vaccinations and
Vaccinate.lowa.gov, and at https:Hvaccinefinder.org/
Community State Profile Report
https://healthdata.gov/browse?sortBy=alpha&taqs=covid-19-
spr&utf8=%E2%9C%93&page=2
County Vaccination data:
https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view
Dubuque VNA
VNA continues to operate the public call center for Dubuque County 7 days/week for
general COVID questions. To date VNA has fielded over 44,720 calls/contacts from the
community. VNA continues contact tracing for COVID 19 positive clusters and
outbreaks, along with schools. However, contacts are only made to the positive case
and for their household members. VNA distributes home Testlowa COVID test kits to
anyone needing a test, free of charge. VNA has currently given out 340 test kits.
VNA is giving out healthy snacks at all COVID-19 evening clinics on Mondays at their
location on Iowa St and $10 Kwik Stop gas card at all clinic sites to any individual
receiving vaccinations. VNA also continues vaccination at outreach sites and events.
Emergency Management Agency (EMA)
PPE supply chains have caught up and EMA manager Tom Berger reports ample
supplies available through his office. The EMA will be hosting the POD at the Dubuque
County Firefighters Association Regional Emergency Responder Training Facility and
assisting with logistics and scheduling.
Hospital Capacity Planning
The IMT continues to monitor hospital capacity and capability and communicate
with MercyOne and UnityPoint Finley Hospitals weekly. Formal meetings will now be
bi-weekly, due a stable number of hospitalized COVID patients in the past two weeks.
However, both hospitals continue to have capacity to care for COVID and other ill
patients. The majority of Dubuque County hospitalized COVID-19 patients are not
vaccinated. In Iowa, the unvaccinated accounted for 76.4% of hospitalized COVID-19
patients and 87.8% in the ICU hospitalized COVID patients.
Public Information The City Public Information Office (PIO), in conjunction with the
Incident Management Team (IMT), continues to provide weekly COVID-19 updates and
frequent social media posts, responds to frequent news media requests for interviews
and information, and assist with general messaging/communication needs. The PIO
continues to track multiple metrics for the IMT and update the COVID-19 webpage on
the City website. Videos featuring Public Health Specialist Mary Rose Corrigan are
produced when needed and distributed through all available channels. In addition to
continued marketing of vaccinations, PIO staff are promoting booster doses and the
public clinics planned for the POD and other locations.
COVID- 19 Vaccination
The IMT manages the IDPH vaccine allocations along with partnering with local
pharmacies are who are receiving vaccine through the Federal Retail Pharmacy
Program. The IMT requested and received additional vaccine for providers to
accommodate the immunocompromised third dose recommendation and newly
approved third or booster doses for designated groups. We are also able to request J&J
vaccine, which has not been available for several weeks.
The IMT continues to seek and plan for outreach vaccination opportunities and will
facilitate, develop, and plan smaller community -based, outreach vaccination clinics.
Added to the outreach clinics and via approved vaccine providers is the the third
booster dose, approved by the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice
(ACIP) on September 24, 2021.
In planning for administration of the booster (3rd) Pfizer dose to all those fully
vaccinated, Point of Distribution (POD) space will be available to providers who need
space at the Dubuque County Firefighters Association Regional Emergency Responder
Training Facility, 14928 Public Safety Way, Dubuque, IA 52002-8216. The demand for
POD space is minimal, with retail pharmacy and vaccine providers scheduling
vaccinations at their own locations.
To facilitate access to vaccination appointments, the Dubuque County Sleeves Up
phone line at (563)587-4950 continues, now staffed by the City Manager's Office. Call
takers facilitate vaccine clinic locations, appointment making and internet navigation
though inbound and outbound calls to connect people to vaccines. Recent booster
dose approvals have increased the number of callers to the SleevesUp phone line.
Additional planning continues for administration of Moderna and Johnson and Johnson
vaccine booster doses, which are on the FDA's agenda for approval in October 14 and
15, 2021. Additionally, Pfizer vaccine will be seeking approval for vaccinating children
aged 5-11 years old on tentatively on Oct. 26, 2021.
Testing for COVID-19
The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) and State Hygienic Lab (SHL) continue to
provide at-home test kits free of charge to Iowa residents through a mail order system
or via pick-up locations at healthcare and public health sites in communities.
Information about where to obtain these free in- home test kits can be found at:
httas://www.testiowa.com/en
Dubuque County in home test pick-up sites include:
https://www.citVofdubugue.org/2940/Local-COVID-19-Testing-Options
Dubuque County Health Department, Dubuque VNA, Crescent Community Health
Center, Medical Associates Clinics, Epic Health and Wellness, Grand River Medical
Center, Unity Point Finley Hospital, and MercyOne.
Free In -Person Standard PCR Testing is available at Hartig Drug Stores and the Dodge
Street Hy-Vee Pharmacy.
As the need for COVID testing increases and the number of new COVID cases
continues to increase in Dubuque County and surrounding counties, the Dubuque
County Public Health Incident Management Team and local health care providers are
asking residents to NOT visit hospital emergency departments for non -symptomatic
COVID testing or for mild illnesses.
Emergency department visits should be limited to health emergencies. Rapid testing
conducted in emergency departments is reserved for symptomatic patients seeking
emergency care and for pre -operation and pre -admittance testing. Rapid testing
supplies are on limited allocation to all providers and some are also conserving PCR
tests due to supply issues.
The IMT recommends testing for documentation of being COVID negative for travel,
school, work, or attending events should utilize regular (non -rapid) testing from
pharmacies, or Testlowa take-home kits. Those that are exposed with no or mild
symptoms should seek testing via pharmacies and Testlowa, or healthcare providers (if
symptomatic.)
The Variants
SARs COV2 variants continue to emerge with the Delta variant continuing as the
dominant strain in the United States and Dubuque County. All vaccines used in the US
continue to be effective against the Delta variant. With community spread continuing,
and vaccinated individuals experiencing break through infections, ongoing public health
mitigation strategies are important and necessary. Continued spread will allow time for
further mutation of the virus and additional variants developing.
Looking ahead
• Provide ongoing education and access for COVID -19 testing and vaccination to
all populations, with the assistance of the Equity Immersion Committee and many
community partners.
• Plan and execute non-traditional and targeted community vaccine
distribution and administration sites to reach of variety of populations and assure
adequate vaccine access, especially for administering the booster doses.
• Continue community vaccine education and administration as eligibility and
availability changes, utilizing multi -media and community outreach, with a focus
on school age, immunocompromised and those ready for a booster dose.
• Implementing and distributing ever changing guidance from CDC, IDPH and the
Governor's Office.
• Monitor and provide community education on SARS CoV2 variants.
• Provide COVID-19 guidance for special events and activities
• Continue assurance of COVID 19 testing access and in -home kit distribution.
• Monitor county transmission rates to provide up to date information on masking
and other mitigation strategies.
0
DUBUQUE CITY COUNCIL
COVI Dm 19 UPDATE
Mary Rose Corrigan,
Oct 4, 2021
4JI04
Public Health Specialist
•
40
•
•
0
Positive Tests Dubuque County
Mar 1, 2020 - Oct 4, 2021, by Day
80K
60K
40K
20K
0
Mar Apr May
2020
Jun Jul Aug Sep
— Positive Tests - 14 Day Rolling Total
Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul
2021
Reported Date of Positive Case
— Positive Tests - 7 Day Rolling Total Positive Tests - Daily Total
8K
6K
4K
2K
Aug Sep OctV
LF:-,",-, - , -
Positive Tests Last 7 days by Age Group Dubuque County
Sep 27, 2021 - Oct 3, 2021
As of Date: October 03, 2021
20%
15%
0
v 10%
L
n
5%
0%
19%
0-17 18-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70-79 80+
T
HIGH COMMUNITY TRANSMISSION OCT 392021
Level of Community TransmissionAll Counties in US
Community Transmission in US by County
Total
Pert
%Change
High
2988
92.8%
-2.05%
Substantial
120
3.73%
1.09%
Moderate
82
2.55%
0.781k
' Low
28
0.87%
0.16k
How is community
transmission calculated?
[a
High Substantial "Moderate OLOW ONOData
215 cases last 7 days (IDPH data)
6.2% 7 day ave (5% last week)
2081100,000 pop (189 last week)
Level of Community TransmissionAll Counties in Dubuque County,
High 4ISubstartial "Moderate 4PLow SiVo Data
Case Status Trend Dubuque County- cases/testing
Sept 8 - Oct 4, 2021, by Day
Total: 7,756 1 Negative: 6,914 1 Positive: 837 1 Inconclusive: 5
800 —
600
400
200
Sep 2021 Oct 2021
■ Total Individuals Positive ■ Total Individuals Negative ■ Total Individuals Inconclusive
POWERED
12 pick up sites in Dubuque County https://www.testiowa.com/en
1 2 3 4 5
GET A KIT
Have an at-home test
kit sent di rectly to
your residence by
submittinga request
or picking up a test kit
at a nearby
pick-up site.
REQUEST KIT
PICK UP A KIT
ACTIVATE KIT
Activate the test kit by
providingyour
information and test
Wit ID. You will only
receive your test result
if yourtest kit has
been activated.
COLLECT
SAMPLE
Collect and package
the sample by
following instructions
provided with the test
kit or watching the
instructions video.
RETURN
SAMPLE
Return the sample at
your nearest UPS
drop-off location using
a prepaid UPS label
included with the test
ki t.
Other drop-off o ptions
may be available.
GET RESULTS
You should receive
your results byemail
within 24 hours from
when the sample is
received atthe lab.
You will also be able to
access you r resu Its on
the patient portal.
OTHER LOCALTESTING OPTIONS:
HTTPS:/ .CITYOFDUBUQUE.ORG/2940/LOCAL-COVID- 19-TESTING-OPTIONS
CDC BOOSTER RECOMMENDATIONS (9/24/2 I )
For those who have received Pfizer as their primary series
people 65 years and older and residents in LTC should receive a booster
shot of Pfizer vaccine at least 6 months after their primary series
people aged 50-64 years with unaerlyir ov, medical conditions should receive
a booster shot of Pfizer vaccine
at least 6 months after their primary series
people aged 18-49 years with underlying medical conditions may receive a
booster shot of Pfizer vaccine at least 6 months after their primary series,
based on their individual benefits and risks, and
people aged 18-64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure
and transmission because of occupational or institutional
setting may receive a booster shot of Pfizer vaccine at least 6 months after
their primary series, based on their individual benefits and risks.
COVI D-19
VERSUS
COMPARING THE 2 TYPES OF
COVID VACCINE RECOMMENDATIONS
OCTOBER 1, 2021
BOOSTER
)01
Anyone who has
received a full series of
the Pfizer vaccine
Recommended 6
months after receiving
the two dose primary
series of Pfizer
Necessary to boost
protection
Individuals eligible for the
Pfizer boost dose:
• 65+ and residents in LTC
•18-64 with underlying
medical conditions
•18-64 with an increased risk
for exposure and
transmission because of
occupational setting
Dubuque
Totals
2,372 52,691 1,986 109,740
CDC data (Oct 2, 2021)
People Vaccinated
Total
% of Total Population
Population >_ 12 Years of Age
% of Population �: 12 Years of Age
Population s 18 Years of Age
% of Population >_ 18 Years of Age
Population >_ 65 Years of Age
% of Population �: 65 Years of Age
At Least One
Dose FullyVaccinated
58,995 56,053
60.6% 57.6%
58,994 56,053
71.4% 67.8%
55,440 52,8 58
73.7% 70.3%
17,447 16,946
97.9% 95.1 %
Fully vaccinated wear a mask in public indoor settings in areas of substantial or high
transmission.
Fully vaccinated people might choose to wear a mask regardless of the level of transmission,
particularly if they are immunocompromised or at increased risk for severe disease from
COVID-19, or if they have someone in their household who is immunocompromised, at
increased risk of severe disease or not fully vaccinated.
Fully vaccinated people who have a known exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed
COVID-19 to be tested 3-5 days after exposure, and to wear a mask in public indoor settings
for 14 days or until they receive a negative test result.
CDC recommends universal indoor masking for all teachers, staff, students, and visitors to
schools, regardless of vaccination status.
Oct
14,
2021
Moderna booster for 18 years + EUA
Oct
15,
2021
J&J Janssen booster for 18 years + EUA
Oct
26,
2021
anticipated request for Pfizer children 5-11 years EUA
TARG'"mm"D VACCINE �LINICS
No teacher/school staff or work site clinics planned at this time
Vaccinations available at clinics/doctors' offices, retail pharmacies
POD clinics at Dubuque County Firefighters Association Regional Emergency
Responder Training Facility 14928 Public Safety Way- TBD
eSleevesL Phone lip 9.63 690 6253
� Monday 10/4
4-7pm-WALK INS @ VNA
Thursday Oct 7, 3-7pm
LINICS Friday Oct 8, 8am-4:30 pm
PMING Dubuque County EMS Training Center
14928 Public f 9 8 ub c Safety Way
0
-N - wi I low
R
THANK -YOU
� MARY ROSE CORRIGAN
%L PUBLIC HEALTH SPE ST
Ilk
Next update: Nov I, 2021
r-1 LL
•
•
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