Iowa — While some states are reporting a tremendous summer surge in COVID-19 cases, the numbers are slowly rising in Iowa and are still considered moderate.
Megan Meller, an infection preventionist at Gundersen Health System, says the Midwest has been spared any significant outbreaks, but new cases -are- being diagnosed at system facilities.
In years past, it was common to see a rise in illnesses during the winter months when people are cooped up together, but the numbers usually drop during the summertime. Meller says this upturn in COVID cases isn’t entirely unexpected.
Many Iowans may have to consult their COVID vaccine cards — if they can find them — to recall the last time they had a booster shot. Should we still be getting those COVID boosters?
If you’re showing symptoms, Meller says it’s a wise move to take an at-home COVID test, though check the expiration date on the box, as some of those dates have been extended.
With the rise of rapid in-home tests, the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services stopped requiring positive COVID-19 tests to be reported to the state in April of 2023.
