COVID-19 UpdateCity of Dubuque
City Council Meeting
ITEM TITLE
SUMMARY:
SUGGESTED
DISPOSITION:
Copyrighted
December 6, 2021
Presentation(s) # 1.
COVID-19 Update
Public Health Specialist Mary Rose Corrigan 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: December 6, 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.
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.
Data Via CDC:
httDS://covid. cdc.aov/covid-data-tracker/#datatracker-home
Vaccination scheduling and access information can be found at
https://www.citVofdubugue.org/2965/COVID-19-Vaccinations and
Vaccinate.lowa.gov, and at https://vaccinefinder.org
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 96,855 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 713 test kits. Please
home test kits are also available through health care providers let me tell pharmacies
throughout the community.
VNA also continues vaccination at outreach sites and at their office, 660 Iowa St
Emergency Management Agency (EMA)
The state distribution of PPE is inactive right now. They are monitoring cases and PPE
requests and are ready to ramp up the PPE delivery from the Nodes again — if needed.
We continue to receive sporadic requests, mainly for masks and gloves.
The training center point of distribution (POD) is ready for use. The VNA operated the
POD for five days in October while the need was present for boosters. All equipment,
signage and supplies are ready to go on short notice should any of the providers need
to utilize the POD for their patients.
Hospital Capacity Planning
The IMT continues to monitor hospital capacity and capability and communicate
with MercyOne and UnityPoint Finley Hospitals weekly. Hospital COVID inpatient
numbers increased throughout November and hospital census reflect seasonal patterns
with more patients than in summer months. However, both hospitals 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% of
hospitalized COVID-19 patients and 78% in the ICU hospitalized COVID patients last
week. IDPH is no longer reporting the number of county residents who are hospitalized.
However, both Unity Point Finley and MercyOne are reporting the number of COVID-19
hospitalized patients weekly to the Telegraph Herald and the IMT.
The IMT has access to daily hospital census reports through the IDPH Regional Medical
Coordination Center (RMCC) reporting system. The data reported to the IDPH and its
designees under this Mandatory Reporting Order is confidential under Iowa law and
may not be redisclosed except as expressly authorized by law. Specifically, the patient
tracking data as reported by each hospital are confidential pursuant to Iowa Code
sections 139A.3(2) and 22.7(2) and (16). The hospital capacity and resources data are
confidential pursuant to Iowa Code section 22.7(50), as this data constitutes information
concerning physical infrastructure, critical infrastructure, and emergency preparedness
developed, maintained, or held by the Department for the protection of life or property.
Local public health receives this confidential data as the Department has determined
that it is necessary in order to perform response and mitigation duties related to the
COVID 19 outbreak. 641 IAC 1.17(3)(a) - (d), (f), 175.10(2)(a), (e). Confidential data
provided pursuant to these legal authorities shall continue to maintain its confidential
status and shall not be re-released by the agency or organization.
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. On November 29, 2021, the CDC recommended the third booster dose for J &
J, Pfizer and Moderna vaccines for everyone 18 years and older. To date 23.191
booster doses have been administered in Dubuque County and 42% of fully vaccinated
eligible individuals or those 18 years and older, have received their booster dose. The
IDPH has not yet released vaccination data on the 5-11 year old age group.
The IMT continues to seek and plan for outreach vaccination opportunities, including at
school sites, and will facilitate, develop, and plan smaller community -based, outreach
vaccination clinics as needed.
The county POD Is set up and 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 date only the VNA has utilized the pod primarily for the 5-11 year -old
age group and for boosters.
To facilitate access to vaccination appointments, the Dubuque County Sleeves Up
phone line at (563)587-4950 continues, 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.
Testing
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-1 9-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.
As the need for COVID testing remains high and COVID testing supplies, particularly
rapid testing supplies, are limited, quarantine is still a necessary step while awaiting test
results in order to prevent the further spread of COVID-19. Rapid test kit supplies have
increased for most healthcare providers, and over the counter rapid test kits are
available. I meet weekly with the community testing providers who provided updates on
supplies and demand.
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.) For travel, it's recommended to check destinations testing requirements
frequently, since changes are happening frequently with the omicron variant
transmission.
The Variants
SARs COV2 variant Omicron emerged November 23, 2021. However, the Delta variant
remains the dominant strain in the United States and Dubuque County. The State
Hygienic Laboratory (SHL) continues to sequence approximately 300 positive samples
per week for variants. 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 due to waning immunity, ongoing public health
mitigation strategies are important and necessary. Continued spread will allow time for
further mutation of the virus and additional variants developing. The transmissibility,
severity, and vaccine efficacy for the Omicron variant is being studied with no clear
patterns to date. However, with more cases and data, guidance and information will
become available in the next few weeks.
Looking ahead
• Provide ongoing education and access for COVID -19 testing and booster
vaccination to all populations, including omicron information, 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 booster doses.
• Implementing and distributing ever changing guidance from CDC, IDPH, OSHA
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.
City Council COVID=19 update Dec 6,2021
Mary Rose Corrigan, Public Health Specialist
Case Status Trend Dubuque County
Mar 10, 2020 -Dec 6, 2021, by Day
600
400
200
Cal
Total: 11,338 1 Negative: 8,483 1 Positive: 2,846 1 Inconclusive: 9
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Nov 2021
1
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 1 2 3
Dec 2021
■ Total Individuals Positive ■ Total Individuals Negative ■ Total Individuals Inconclusive
F
4 5 6
HiGh COMMUNITY TRANSMISSION
� IDPH Data
NEW COVID-19 POSITIVE
DUBUQUE COUNTY RESIDENTS
111312021 1111012021 1111712021 1112412021 121112021
IDPH data
• 457 cases last 7 days (626 Nov 15)
• 470/100,000 pop
12.8% 7 da•• 1 �••�
New Cases
Dec 7, 2020
14-DAY TRENDLINE OF NEW COVID-19
CASES
IN DUBUQUE COUNTY
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
oti oti oti oti oti oti oti oti oti oti oti oti oti oti
IV ti S. S.IS,ti N.
Dec 6, 2021
NEW COVI D-19 POSITIVE
DUBUQUE COUNTY RESIDENTS
/1012021
11 /17/2021 11 /24/2021 12/1/2021
Active
Dec 7, 2020
DUBUQUE COUNTY
NOV. 7-DEC.7, 2020
3,411
2,343
2,532
O O O o o O O O O O O O O O O o
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
M r\-1 M 11 ^ M r\-I M I1 N m r\-I M I1
\ \ ri i i r-I r-I r-I N N N N N \ \ \ \
\ \ \ \ \ \ \ % \ \ N N N N
ri ri ri ri ri ri ri r-I r-I ri r-I V -I i--I ri r-I ri
ri ri ri ri ri r-I r-1 r-I ri ri
202
ACTIVE COVID-19 CASES
IN DUBUQUE COUNTY
19351
23295
lm
11/3/2021 11/10/2021 11/17/2021 11/24/2021 12/1/2021
AA
Positive Tests Last 7 days by Age Group Dubuque County
Nov 29, 2021 - Dec 5, 2021
0
c
a)
V
i
QJ
d
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
21%
0-17 18-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70-79
3%
80+
Hospital Capacity, Capability & Data
1. Provide adequate equipment, 1 A6MA k.,
supplies and medications to care
for patients and assure a safe
work environment for patients and
staff
2. Hospitals and IMT work
cooperatively, with transparency
and open communication
3. IDPH/RMCC collects daily hospital
data
DUBUQUE COUNTY
HOSPITALIZATIONS WITH COVID-19:
NOV. 18 - DEC. 1
35
41
11 /1 s12o21 11125/2021
COVID-19 HOSPITALIZATIONS OF DUBUQUE COUNTY RESIDENTS
43
29
N 70
s
60
50
r
40
V
C 30
L
0 20
Z
12 10
Number of COVID-19 Related Deaths
in Dubuque County by Month
63
13
9 7 7
<5< <
Mar-20 Apr-20 May-20 Jun-20 Jul-20 Aug-20 Sep-20 Oct-20 Nov-20 Dec-20 Jan-21
$ 5 $ 11 11
<5<5<5<5 <5
Feb-21 Mar-21 Apr-21 May-21 Jun-21 Jul-21 Aug-21 Sep-21 Oct-21 Nov-21
Month
Vaccinations
DUBUQUE COUNTY RESIDENTS
FULLY VACCINATED
CDC data
0 60% of all Dubuque County
residents are fully vaccinated
70% of all Dubuque County
residents age 12+ are fully
vaccinated
80204° 59.5% Vaccinations Completed:
eted :
Co p
6-0.IQ0 58.588
0,00D
M.1000 EVERYONE ages 18 and older
20,000 should now get a booster shot
either 6 months after their
second Pfizer or Moderna dose
or 2 months after their initial AJ
vaccine.
20000
18000
16000
0 14000
12000
10000
8000
E 6000
O
U
4000
2000
0
Number of Completed COVID-19 Vaccinations in
Dubuque County -Per Month
Total Vaccinations Completed 12/3/2021: 56,233
17,752
14,476
' 4 73156
5,441
23875 23971
1 R 0 0
954 1,657 1,609
Dec-20 Jan-21 Feb-21 Mar-21 Apr-21 May-21 Jun-21 Jul-21 Aug-21 Sep-21
865 477
w
Voct-21 r v-2 4F
Dec-21
i
I
4
County Two -Dose Series Two -Dose Series
Initiated Completed
f • •LEM 3,902 55,159
11
60 Boo!
ibuque 1
14. 2020 .17
er Dose
aunty
,%" 5. 2021
Single -Dose Series Completed Total Doses Booster Doses goo Fully Vaccinated
Administered Given
58.9%
• f; ■ •IeI•
•[•
11
[ounty Two -Dose Series Two -Dose Series Single -Dose Series Completed Total Doses Booster Doses % Fully Vaccinated
Initiated Completed I Administered Given
• • - 2,597 50,920 M •
Territories A
I
U P R vi MP
4 I
;+ 1
•e-s
FM PVC AIIH
c�c
Legend
1 0 No
Yes
omicron
• Detected in 16 states
• First reported in South African countries
• Transmissibility, vaccine effectiveness, and level of illness still
unknown
• IDPH monitoring travelers
• Iowa testing 300 + COVID 19 samples weekly for Omicron and
other variants
• Best protection:
c r VACCINATED i BOOSTED
• 563.690. MAKE
ASSISTANCE WITH FINDING VACCINE
19-VACCINATIONS
Vaccinations available at clinics/doctors' offices, retail
pharmacies
Ongoing walk-in VNA clinics at 660 Iowa St
ES
400BUQUt
Thank you.
Questions?