Today’s NewsStand

Today’s NewsStand

By Iowa Hospital Association|
|July 6, 2021

Iowa news

Des Moines’ new VA clinic slated to open next summer on the city’s south side

Several central Iowa veterans and community stakeholders gathered for a first look at the new Veteran Affairs Clinic under construction on Des Moines’ south side last week. The event, held almost a year after construction began in August, also served as a groundbreaking ceremony, which was delayed because of the pandemic. (Des Moines Register)

Highly transmissible delta variant of coronavirus is gaining strength in Iowa, state lab tests suggest

The highly transmissible delta variant of the coronavirus appears to be gaining strength statewide, according to test results from the Iowa State Hygienic Laboratory. In each of the past two weeks, the delta variant accounted for more than half of positive coronavirus tests from Iowa that included variants of the virus, the Iowa Department of Public Health said. The variant, first discovered in India, was confirmed to have arrived in Iowa Tuesday, May 4. (Des Moines Register)

Opinion: Why you need to keep wearing a mask in health care settings

COVID-19 vaccinations have led the way for many of us to return to a more normal way of living. It’s been several weeks since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shared relaxed guidance about mask wearing indoors for those fully vaccinated. MercyOne hospitals now can welcome back limited visitors to see their loved ones, with some relaxed restrictions. But, we still require you to wear a mask in our health care settings. (Des Moines Register)

 

National news

HHS: 130 health systems might be exposing 2 million patients’ medical images, data online

Millions of patients may be exposed because of vulnerabilities in medical imaging archiving software. Research discovered in 2019 that a vulnerability in these imaging systems can be exploited to expose patient data. Hundreds of health care organizations continue to have unpatched PACS servers visible, and HHS recommends hospitals review their inventory to determine if PACS are still being used. Recent reports estimate 130 health systems are exposing more than 2 million patients and 275 million medical images. (Becker’s Health IT)

99.5% of people killed by COVID-19 in last six months were unvaccinated

CDC Director Rochelle Walensky. MD, said at a White House briefing that preliminary data reviewed by her agency suggests 99.5% of the people who died from COVID-19 over the past six months were unvaccinated, a stunning statistic in support of her assertion that nearly every virus-linked death is now preventable. (Forbes)

J&J says vaccine works against delta variant for at least eight months

Johnson and Johnson said its one-dose shot protects against the delta variant, citing lab tests of vaccine recipients’ blood. And amid concerns their shot might require a booster, the company said its immune response lasts eight months and counting. Public health experts say the variant poses the most danger in regions where vaccinations are sparse. (USA Today)

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