Today the city of Dubuque, along with Dubuque County and  Emergency Management, and the Dubuque County Public Health Incident Management Team sent out an update for CDC guidance in response to a "high" Covid-19 community level. Guidelines in that email state that,

"Dubuque County COVID-19 Community Transmission Level = HIGH. The CDC's Community Transmission Level is based on the number of new cases per 100,000 population and is used by local healthcare facilities to determine internal protocol and procedures. "

This change in community level for Dubuque County was caused by 122 confirmed new cases since Wednesday, August 24th.  According to the Iowa Department of Public Health 33,221 cases+ have been reported to date. The email states that;

"Due to the wide availability of at-home rapid tests, the results of which are usually not reported/recorded, new COVID cases are underreported. The number reported in this update is the number of new cases reported to the Iowa Department of Public Health."

The current graph, sent in the release (seen below), shows a downward trend but daily new cases are still considered at a high level.

Credit: Dubuque County Public Health Incident Management Team
Credit: Dubuque County Public Health Incident Management Team
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CDC Guidelines, set forth in the email, are as follows for High Community levels:

  • Wear a well-fitting mask indoors while in public
  • If you are immunocompromised or high risk for severe disease: Wear a mask or respirator that provides greater protection. Consider avoiding non-essential indoor activities where you could be exposed. Talk to your healthcare provider about precautions. Have a rapid testing plan. Talk to your healthcare provider about treatments like oral antivirals, PrEP, and monoclonal antibodies
  • Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines and boosters
  • Maintain improved ventilation throughout indoor spaces when possible
  • Follow CDC recommendations for isolation and quarantine.

So far no new covid deaths have been reported since August 17th; with the year total at 304. In addition, the CDC Covid data tracker shows that; 65.5% of all county residents are fully vaccinated, and 57.8% of all county residents are fully vaccinated and have received a booster.

As always, with any sickness, use common sense first and foremost. Wash your hands. Cover your mouth when you cough. Respect people's personal space when in public or private. And please, stay home if you are sick.

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