Iowa news
Two of Iowa’s members of Congress are co-sponsoring a bill (Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act) that would clarify that stillbirth prevention activities can be funded through the Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant — which is allocated to every state health department. There is a companion bill in the U.S. Senate as well. First District Republican Rep. Ashley Hinson and 3rd District Democratic Rep. Cindy Axne are co-sponsoring the bill, along with more bipartisan co-sponsors in other states. (Iowa Public Radio)
After two years, Iowa City and UI still feel impact of COVID-19
COVID-19 has been part of the lives of University of Iowa students and Iowans for over two years. The impacts are still felt by the UI Hospitals and Clinics, businesses around town and in higher education institutions. COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are continuing to fall as restrictions are being pared back nationwide. But the concern about the spread of the virus isn’t over for those who are immunocompromised. Some people who have recovered from COVID-19 are still experiencing complications caused by “long COVID-19.” (Daily Iowan)
Cedar Rapids hospitals adjust visitor rules, relax some COVID-19 pandemic guidelines
Starting this week, hospitalized patients at both Cedar Rapids hospitals can have more visitors as officials relax certain pandemic guidelines. UnityPoint Health-St. Luke’s Hospital and Mercy Medical Center announced joint adjustments to visitor guidelines, allowing patients up to four visitors. Previously, only two were allowed at a time. The move comes as coronavirus case counts continue to drop over the past several weeks statewide. Data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last week shows Linn County — along with most of Eastern Iowa — has a “low” level of COVID-19 transmission. (The Gazette)
National news
COVID-19 vaccinations fall 27% as BA.2’s prevalence grows
The number of COVID-19 vaccines administered daily fell by more than 25% this week amid the omicron subvariant’s growing prevalence in the U.S., according to the CDC’s COVID-19 data tracker weekly review published March 25. The seven-day average number of vaccines administered daily was 181,945 as of March 23, a 27.1% decrease from the previous week. As of March 23, about 255 million people — 76.8% of the total U.S. population — have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and more than 217.2 million people, or 65.4% of the population, have received both doses. (Becker’s Hospital Review)
Many experts expect COVID-19 caseloads to rise soon
The BA.2 subvariant — an even more contagious version of omicron — has already caused COVID-19 cases to rise across much of Europe. In the U.S., caseloads have held steady over the past week, ending two months of sharp declines, and many experts expect increases soon. (The New York Times)
Scientists: COVID-19 may cause greater damage to the heart
Scientists now believe that COVID-19 patients suffer more than respiratory issues. Several studies have revealed that the virus can also damage the heart. For those with a heart condition, the threat is even greater. (Modern Healthcare)