CEDAR COUNTY COVID-19 GIS DASHBOARD

 COVID-19 Moderna Vaccine for Cedar County (Phase 1B) 

On January 21, 2021 the Iowa Department of Public Health released updated information in their Phase 1b supplemental vaccine shortage order. The order includes the following tiers for phase 1b to be activated February 1, 2021: 

Phase 1-B 

1) Persons aged 65 years and over. 

2) The following populations vulnerable to high risk of exposure or severity of illness: 

    a) Tier 1: 

          1. First responders (e.g., firefighters, police officers, and child welfare social workers). 

          2. PK-12 school staff, early childhood education, and childcare workers. 

    b) Tier 2: 

          1. Individuals with disabilities living in home settings that are dependent on attendant care staff, and      their attendant care staff, if not otherwise vaccinated under Phase 1-A. 

          2. Frontline essential workers in the food, agricultural, distribution, and manufacturing sectors who work in or live in congregate settings that do not allow for social distancing such as workers in a meatpacking or manufacturing production line or migrant workers who live in bunkroom-style housing. 

    c) Tier 3: 

          1. Staff of and individuals living in congregate settings not covered by sections “a” and “b”, including shelters, sober living homes, behavioral health treatment centers, and  400 CEDAR STREET  TIPTON, IOWA 52772  PHONE (563) 886-2226  FAX: (563) 886-1218 detention centers. Individuals residing in college dormitories shall not be included as part of Phase 1-B. 

          2. Government officials, including staff, to ensure continuity of government, engaged in state business at the Iowa Capitol during the legislative session 

    d) Tier 4: 

          1. Inspectors responsible for health, life and safety, including those in hospital and long-term care settings, child, and food production safety. 

    e) Tier 5: 

          1. Correctional facility staff and individuals incarcerated, including state, county, and city operated facilities. 

Phase 1b is expected to begin no later than February 1, 2021 across the state. Every county in Iowa will have varying timelines based upon their resources. Cedar County Public Health (CCPH) has clinics scheduled through the month of January to complete initial doses and begin second doses for phase 1a which will continue into February. 

“Our goal is to push out the vaccine as quickly as we are receiving it. We have thousands of individuals in Cedar County who qualify for phase 1b; however, our first allocation we are expected to receive in February for phase 1b is only 100 doses. We continue to ask for your patience and grace as we move forward. We are receiving an extremely high volume of phone calls daily. We will make announcements to the community as soon as we are ready to schedule appointments.” Jamie Walker, Director for CCPH said. Communication regarding appointments will be distributed via local newspapers, CCPH Facebook page and the county website at https://cedarcounty.iowa.gov/. 

Everyone (including those who are vaccinated) should continue taking protective measures to limit the spread of COVID-19: 

• Stay home if you are sick 

• Wash your hands often 

• Social distance 6 feet from others 

• Wear a mask correctly over both your nose and mouth

The Cedar County Transfer Station is open. Operating hours are as follows:

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 9:00 am – 4:00pm

Thursday: 12:00pm – 4:00pm

1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month – 8:00am – 2:00pm

Payment for transfer station services must be made via cash or check, and all transactions will be completed through the window to allow for social distancing. There will be no public access to the office. The hours may be expanded as demand warrants. For more information, please call the Transfer station at 563-886-6437.

Please see the updated CDC guidance summarized below:

1. Changes in isolation recommendations for symptomatic persons

 Persons who think or know they have COVID-19 and have symptoms should isolate until:

§ At least 10 days since symptoms first appeared and

§ At least 24 hours with no fever without fever-reducing medication and

§ Symptoms have improved

 Persons who test positive for COVID-19 and do not have symptoms should isolate until:

§ 10 days have passed since test

CDC discourages using the test-based strategy except as described below 

1. Isolation recommendations for severe, advanced immunosuppressed      persons

People with severe, advanced immunosuppression should isolate until: 

1. Two       negative test results in a row, at least 24 hours apart  OR 
2. 20 days       post symptom onset or date of test 
3. Re-exposure recommendations for persons previously infected with      COVID-19

Previously diagnosed with COVID-19 have since recovered and remain asymptomatic:

· Retesting isNOT recommended within three months after the date of symptom onset (or date of test if asymptomatic persons) for the initial COVID-19 infection 

· Quarantine is NOT recommended in the event of close contact with an infected person during the three month time period, as long as the previously diagnosed person remains asymptomatic (i.e., has not developed symptoms of a new illness)

In persons who develop new symptoms consistent with COVID-19 during the 3 months after the date of initial symptom onset (if an alternative etiology cannot be identified by a provider) they should be clinically evaluated as appropriate and re-testing should be considered if there is not an alternative diagnosis.

o The symptomatic person should be isolated again, if symptoms developed within 14 days after close contact with a new COVID case. 

· If your symptoms worsen and you feel the need to see a medical provider, please call them first  to determine the treatment plan and visit method that are best for you.

For the most current information on COVID-19, please visit: https://idph.iowa.gov/Emerging-Health-Issues/Novel-Coronavirusor https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html