Iowa news
Iowa’s COVID-19 recovery ranks fastest in nation
Iowa’s COVID-19 recovery is the quickest in the nation, according to a WalletHub study released last week. The Center Square reports Iowa ranked first in the nation, earning a total score of 75.25 out of possible 100. WalletHub compared all 50 states and the District of Columbia across three categories: 1) COVID Health; 2) Leisure and Travel; and 3) Economy and Labor Market. (Corridor Business)
New mental health resources coming for children in Polk County
On May 21, a Des Moines Register editorial asked, “Where does a parent turn when a child attempts suicide?” This is the question that has driven A Mid-Iowa Organizing Strategy for the past four years to advocate for children’s mental health services. Starting Thursday, July 1, Polk County families, schools and adolescents will finally have additional resources to turn to when youth experience a mental health crisis. On May 18, Broadlawns Medical Center presented a plan to hire two new pediatric mobile crisis responders funded by local option sales tax dollars. (Des Moines Register)
A closer look: For UnityPoint Health’s new president and CEO, it’s all about making a difference
Clay Holderman began his duties as president and CEO of UnityPoint Health in mid-February, joining the organization after working for the largest health system in New Mexico. Most recently he was executive vice president and chief operating officer of Presbyterian Healthcare Services in Albuquerque. With more than 30,000 team members, UnityPoint Health has annual revenues of $4.4 billion, with providers and services in hospitals, clinics and at-home settings across Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin. (Business Record)
National news
US COVID-19 cases, deaths at new lows; world passes 2020 death count six months into 2021
As COVID-19 cases fall in the US, the pandemic has intensified in other countries, with more virus deaths reported in 2021 so far than during all of 2020. As of June 10, COVID-19 case numbers in the US have dropped to their lowest point since testing became widely available. The US is reporting the lowest level of daily COVID-19 deaths since March 2020. (Becker’s Hospital Report)
Novavax offers US a fourth strong COVID-19 vaccine
Novavax, a small American company buoyed by lavish support from the US government, announced the results of a clinical trial of its COVID-19 vaccine in the United States and Mexico, finding that its two-shot inoculation provides potent protection against the coronavirus. In the 29,960-person trial, the vaccine demonstrated an efficacy of 90.4%, on par with the vaccines made by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, and higher than the one-shot vaccine from Johnson and Johnson. The Novavax vaccine showed an efficacy of 100% at preventing moderate or severe disease. (The New York Times)
NewYork-Presbyterian, Community Health Network among latest to require vaccinations for employees
New York City-based NewYork-Presbyterian and Indianapolis-based Community Health Network will require their workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19. NewYork-Presbyterian is requiring employees to get vaccinated or obtain a valid exemption for medical reasons, pregnancy or religious reasons. The health system said all employees, physicians, students, clinical rotators, volunteers and vendors must have received their first dose no later than Sept. 1, and, for two-dose vaccines, workers must complete the vaccination process on the prescribed timeline. Newly hired employees also must follow a vaccination or exemption process. (Becker’s Hospital Review)