Health officials give update after discontinuing contact tracing

Linda Rider

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – Get hold of tracing for COVID-19 cases is just a single tool officials have been employing to monitor the distribute of the virus since the pandemic commenced just about two a long time ago. Linn and Johnson County stopped contract tracing additional than two months ago since of the surge in omicron scenarios.

Jarvis emphasizes the great importance of continuing to use the layered approached when it comes to restricting the spread of COVID-19.

Though speak to tracing was just one of those people levels, remaining household when you’re unwell, getting your vaccine and booster and masking up are all other layers you can go on to use.

Though they’re no lengthier call tracing, Neighborhood Health Manager for Johnson County General public Heath Sam Jarvis reported if you take a look at positive for COVID, or assume you may possibly have been uncovered, their call tracing crew is now delivering additional guidance to assist respond to any inquiries you may perhaps have.

Jarvis included with the spike in cases and now much more at dwelling screening, they just weren’t ready to maintain up with get in touch with tracing.

”With the greater potential of totally free at dwelling swift exams or fast checks in common, that are not described, we would most likely start out to drop insight into what local community transmission would definitely be. And so, possible that would have an effects on get hold of tracing as properly,” claimed Jarvis.

Leaders with UnityPoint Wellbeing St. Luke’s mentioned they are observing a continuous range of COVID individuals coming in.

“The great news is it is been regular for the previous couple of weeks wherever the scenarios in the county are going up. So, this may well be confirming in our personal minimal entire world below that omicron variant does not result in the hospitalizations that delta did,” claimed Dr. Dustin Arnold, UnityPoint Health and fitness – St. Luke’s Main Health-related Officer.

The superior transmissibility of Omicron is resulting in some staff members shortages at Mercy Health-related Centre in Cedar Rapids, which has afflicted some clinic functions.

“In the healthcare facility we have core functions that we have to do to acquire treatment of sufferers. And some things can be putt off or delayed. And which is what we’re doing. Internally we have to have important treatment ability. We have to have health care surgery beds accessible for men and women that want them suitable absent,” reported Dr. Tony Myers, Vice President of Procedure High-quality Danger and Professional medical Affairs at Mercy Health-related Heart.

Both equally Saint Luke’s and Mercy have halted non-critical surgical procedures because mid-December. With the strain on hospitals they are not sure when individuals procedures can resume.

And if you have COVID-19 – you do not will need to wait around 90 days to get your vaccine… that goes for boosters, far too.

Medical doctor Myers and Medical professional Arnold each reported once you experience better, you can get your shot. The exact same is correct with finding a flu shot or other vaccines.

“Very early on there was that suggestion and there have been advice that you shouldn’t get it all-around acquiring yet another vaccine. That you need to hold out a couple weeks in concerning them. Those had to thanks with uncertainty about how productive it would be. But clearly now we know that as shortly as you get improved, what I explain to my individuals are experience better, wait a week, get it,” mentioned Dr. Myers.

Copyright 2022 KCRG. All legal rights reserved.

Next Post

Effort to Vaccinate Kids Stalls as Omicron Surges | Healthiest Communities Health News

By Rachana Pradhan and Hannah Recht The national effort to vaccinate children has stalled even as the omicron variant upends schooling for millions of children and their families amid staffing shortages, shutdowns and heated battles over how to safely operate. Vaccination rates vary substantially across the country, a KHN analysis […]

Subscribe US Now