Michaela Ramm

The VA Health Care System in Iowa City, which serves veterans and their families in Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois, would not be included in the list of hospitals or outpatient clinics facing closures under a federal plan.

New COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths dropped in Iowa in the past week, continuing the virus’ downard trend.

An annual report from Trust for America’s Health ranks Iowa in the highest category for emergency preparedness, but researchers emphasize that many states need investment in public health infrastructure and workforce in order to better handle the next emergency.

Under the new program, Mercy Medical will provide financial assistance and salaries to Mount Mercy University nursing students, and in exchange, those students will work at the hospital after graduation.

The number of virus-related hospitalizations also is down as the state emerges from the omicron surge.

Dr. Scott Nau, a pediatrician who has cared for some of the most complex and critical cases among Cedar Rapids children for the past 40 years, officially will retire later this month.

Tuesday marks the second anniversary since COVID-19 arrived in the state. In the two years since his bout with the virus, the first patient hospitalized with COVID-19 in Iowa says the virus continues its lasting impact on his health.

Cancer screenings dropped in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, raising alarms for providers that the trend could result in an increase in more severe disease and preventable deaths.

This week marks the second year since the novel coronavirus first arrived in Iowa, bringing with it a deadly disease that went on to kill thousands and infect tens of thousands more. But in recent weeks, things have changed. Some have begun to relax, wondering if COVID-19 finally is reaching endemic stage. However, for some vulnerable groups, the risk they still face has not changed.

The latest COVID-19 surge in Iowa continues to wind down as hospitalization rates have dropped this week. New cases did see a slight uptick, and vaccination rates continue its slow upward movement.

Eric Dalton, the new chief executive officer at PCI in Cedar Rapids, says the medical specialty group has managed the financial headwinds caused by the ongoing pandemic and is “ahead of schedule” on future growth.

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.

The Iowa Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday over a 2020 law that introduced a 24-hour waiting period before a person could obtain an abortion in Iowa. In appealing the case, the state is asking the court to overturn a 2018 state Supreme Court ruling that upheld the fundamental right to abortion under the Iowa Constitution.

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.

The Eastern Iowa Health Center, the community health center in Cedar Rapids, has announced plans to expand its dental clinic. The expansion at the current dental clinic will expand space to 8,000 square feet, adding more dental chairs and growing capacity for providers to see 22,500 patients per year.