Michaela Ramm

The University of Iowa Health Care has joined a new Phase 2 clinical trial that will test booster vaccines in various combinations to determine which provide the best immune response against existing and emerging COVID-19 variants.

The Iowa Department of Public Health confirmed four deaths statewide as a result of the coronavirus, the lowest number seen since the early days of the pandemic. However, new infections and related hospitalizations continue to rise across Iowa.

Recent state Supreme Court rulings ensured abortion access for pregnant women, but Iowa Republicans are working to nullify those rulings

Even while undergoing the rigors of chemotherapy for his stage 4 colon cancer, Phil Decker was among the select few who qualified for and completed this year’s Boston Marathon.

A new breast health center has opened within the University of Iowa Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center in Iowa City as a dedicated space to provide a range of breast care services.

The county reported 305 new cases this week — the highest seven-day total since the 449 cases reported Feb. 16.

In the past year, federal assistance programs and cost-sharing waivers from private insurance companies for COVID-19 treatments as ended. As a result, financial counselors have seen more clients seeking help with medical debt.

It’s been about two-and-a-half years since “generate,” an innovation lab, opened in St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids. So far, 375 inventions have been built by clinicians in the space, even as the hospital grappled with COVID-19.

Increasing coronavirus transmission rates and new COVID-19 cases across Johnson County is a result of an emergence of BA.2, a subvariant of omicron, federal data shows. A local expert says this latest stage of the pandemic highlights the importance of vaccines and booster shots.

The Iowa Department of Public Health reported 1,063 new COVID-19 cases in the past week, an increase from the 900 new cases reported last week. However, infected patients in intensive care in Iowa’s hospitals have reached an all-time low.

A statewide coalition of refugee and immigrant service leaders has launched RIVA, a new coalition that aims to address public health inequities among the refugee and immigrant population in Iowa.

UnityPoint Health officials have revised masking policies for three Eastern Iowa hospitals, including St. Luke’s in Cedar Rapids. Masking is optional for most patients, visitors and fully vaccinated staff, with certain exceptions.

UnityPoint Health-St. Luke’s Hospital has established a second incentive program for nursing students, this time with Kirkwood Community College. Students will get financial aid and a sign-on bonus in exchange for 18 months’ employment.

Syphilis cases have increased 55 percent between 2020 and 2021 in Iowa, preliminary data from the Iowa Department of Public Health shows. In addition, a spike in congenital syphilis has alarmed public health officials.

UnityPoint Health-St. Luke’s Hospital has partnered with Mount Mercy University to launch the Senior Promise Program, which offers financial aid to cover tuition and other costs for senior nursing students’ final two semesters at school. After graduation, these students will work as full-time nurses in units that face the greatest staffing challenges, hospital officials say.