Health Care and Medicine

Though the number of new cases and hospitalizations and deaths due to the infection are far less than a peak last winter, Iowa is experiencing a third surge of the disease that’s being fueled by the more contagious delta variant despite the widespread availability of a free vaccine to ward off the worst symptoms — including death.

Additionally, the Corrections Department said about 61 percent of the state’s prison staff have reported being fully vaccinated — again, higher than the rate for the state’s overall eligible population.

Local health care and public health officials are urging all Linn County residents to get vaccinated and take other mitigation measures as new coronavirus cases surge in recent weeks. Cedar Rapids hospitals say they are seeing an alarming increase in hospitalizations, including among fully vaccinated residents.

The Big Ten announced new COVID-19 protocols Monday, including that if a team cannot participate due to the coronavirus, it will forfeit that game.

The U.S. gave full approval to Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine on Monday, a milestone that may help lift public confidence in the shots as the nation battles the most contagious coronavirus mutant yet.

The influx of more than 115,000 new Medicaid enrollees gradually built as Iowans lost their jobs – and their employer-based health insurance – as the coronavirus pandemic took hold.

The Iowa Department of Public Health allowed the Iowa Cannabis Co. to transfer its license to manufacture medical marijuana products from Cedar Rapids to Iowa City, where the firm also will open a dispensary this fall.

All nursing homes will be required to mandate COVID-19 vaccines for its staff, or facilities could lose their federal funding, the Biden administration announced this week. While some state organizations praised the move, others raised concerns about the impact it could have on an already strained workforce.

According to data from the Iowa Department of Public Health, there are 396 COVID-19 patients hospitalized across the state, up from 355 the week before. The last time the state saw similar numbers was January 27 when 408 people were hospitalized.

Federal health officials announced Wednesday that individuals who received a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine should receive a third booster shot eight months after their second dose. Those shots could be available the week of Sept. 20.

Federal health officials announced all Americans will be offered a coronavirus booster shot starting next month. Plans are still in development, but a University of Iowa researcher offers insight on what we know so far about the third vaccine dose.

The voluntary program is a joint project in which Iowa Prison Industries will assist the Iowa Department of Public Health and State Hygienic Lab with COVID-19 at-home test kit assembly and preparation for shipment.