Coronavirus

Iowacoviddata.com will serve as a central source of Iowa COVID-19 data, intended to pull together in one place as much of the same information as the state health department previously gathered on its website.

New COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continue to decline this week, reaching the lowest numbers reported since August, according to the Iowa Department of Public Health.

As part of an initial allocation of joint American Rescue Plan funds between Cedar Rapids and Linn County, the city is using $3 million to add housing units and boost programming for food access, youth engagement and immigrant support

The Pentagon has approved the deployment of 700 unarmed National Guard troops to the nation’s capital as it prepares for trucker convoys that are planning protests against pandemic restrictions beginning next week.

This March marks two years since COVID-19 arrived in Iowa. Nearly two years into the pandemic, The Gazette wants to know what you’re thinking as it enters a third year.

Gov. Kim Reynolds said earlier this month that state data has show an increase in “incidental” COVID-19 among hospitalized patients in Iowa in recent weeks when compared to hospitalizations rates in 2020. Incidental refers to patients who arrive at the hospital for other reasons, but test positive for the virus as part of routine screening.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Supreme Court on Friday upheld the dismissal of a lawsuit filed against Gov. Kim Reynolds by a group of six Des Moines-area bars that challenged her brief shutdown of their businesses in August and September 2020 when COVID-19 was rapidly spreading.

Eastern Iowa ambulance service providers are busier than ever, but in the past year also have struggled to recruit new emergency medical service staff members.

Federal officials fined Dunlap Specialty Care $62,283, alleging the home had failed to take the necessary steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The omicron wave that assaulted the United States this winter also bolstered its defenses, leaving enough protection against the coronavirus that future spikes will likely require much less — if any — dramatic disruption to society.

The latest coronavirus surge continues to wind down in Iowa as new cases drop. With the transition to a new reporting system, Iowa is no longer releasing the number of hospitalizations and of long-term care facilities with outbreaks.

Should someone’s COVID-19 vaccine status determine what care they receive, if any at all? An Iowa expert in medical ethics weighs in on the question many have posed as COVID-19 cases threatened to overwhelm hospitals.

NEW YORK (AP) — For the first time in two years for many people, the American workplace is transforming into something that resembles pre-pandemic days.

Iowa’s disaster proclamation in place since March 2020 will expire this week, shifting the state’s response to COVID-19 to mirror how it responds to other viruses such as flu. Local health officials emphasize that the end of the proclamation does not mean the end of COVID-19.

Even with federal COVID-19 vaccine mandates going into effect in Iowa by March, the vaccination status of much of the home health workforce is unclear. Some immunocompromised patients who can’t guarantee a vaccinated aide are deciding to go without help.