14 COVID-19 related deaths in Clayton County over past week

First COVID-19 vaccine doses arrived in state on Monday

By Audrey Posten, Times-Register

Clayton County saw its largest increase in COVID-19 related deaths over the past week, with the total rising from 11 to 25, according to data from the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH).

In the past two weeks alone, the county has recorded 20 deaths.

All other area counties reported additional COVID-19 fatalities over the past week as well, including 24 in Dubuque County, five each in Allamakee and Delaware counties, two in Fayette County and one in Winneshiek County.

There have been 3,273 total deaths in Iowa, including 60 reported on Monday. According to IDPH, 555 Iowans have died as a result of COVID-19 in the past week. 

The news comes as Clayton County saw an increase of 56 new COVID-19 infections over the past week—the smallest weekly jump in a month. Per IDPH, the county’s total grew from 1,204 on Dec. 7 to 1,260 as of Dec. 14.

Over two weeks, the total has risen by 142 cases. 

According to the Iowa COVID-19 website, which tracks outbreaks at long-term care facilities, outbreaks at local care centers appear to be abating. Of 50 total cases associated with the Guttenberg Care Center, 10 have been reported in the past two weeks. At McGregor’s Great River Care Center, just one of 39 total cases occurred in the past two weeks.

Of Clayton County’s 1,260 confirmed cases, 352 are currently active. The county’s 14-day positivity rate, which measures the percentage of positive tests in that span, sits at 16 percent, down four percentage points from this time last week. Over seven days, the positivity rate is 12 percent.

Overall, Iowa has a 14-day positivity rate of 15.2  percent, down a point from a week ago, and a seven-day positivity rate of 11.3 percent.

IDPH said Iowa added 665 new COVID-19 cases on Monday, taking the state’s total to 257,290. That’s an increase of 12,055 confirmed cases from a week ago. 

As of Monday, 764 people around the state were hospitalized, down 134 people from last week. Of those hospitalized, 160 were in the ICU. 

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On Monday, it was also reported that Iowa received its first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. 

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last week approved emergency use authorization for Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine. After the initial doses this week, shipments will continue to arrive weekly throughout Iowa. 

Following guidance issued by the Advisory Council on Immunization Practices (ACIP), Iowa’s initial phase of the COVID-19 vaccination program will be offered to healthcare personnel and residents of long-term care facilities.

IDPH said Iowa has reserved a portion of the Pfizer vaccine for the National Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care. This program was established to meet the challenge of vaccinating the long-term care population and is scheduled to begin the week of Dec. 28. Walgreens, CVS and Community Pharmacy chains will administer the program in Iowa. As part of this program, which is free of charge to facilities, pharmacies will:

•Schedule and coordinate on-site clinic date(s) directly with each facility.

•Coordinate a series of visits to administer both doses of vaccine and vaccinate any new residents and staff.

•Order vaccines and associated supplies.

To assist in prioritizing critical work force vaccination needs, IDPH has convened a team of appointed external and internal subject matter experts, known collectively as the Infectious Disease Advisory Council (IDAC). This council will assist the IDPH director and medical director in developing guidance for the prioritization of populations early in the vaccination response when vaccine supply is limited.

IDPH said it will follow guidance as it becomes available from the ACIP and IDAC to determine additional priority populations as vaccine supply availability increases. There are currently nearly 1,500 providers signed up to administer the vaccine in Iowa, with approximately 20 to 40 new applications submitted each day.

COVID-19 vaccines will continue to increase in supply, and IDPH hopes that, by mid-2021, anyone who wants to receive the vaccine will have the opportunity to do so. IDPH has established a healthcare provider COVID-19 Vaccine Call Center. To reach the COVID-19 Vaccine Call Center, call 1-800-831-6293, Option 1.