Iowa news Polk County Health Department warns of climbing COVID-19 cases Polk County is seeing another spike in COVID-19 cases this summer. The health department shared the omicron B.A. 5 subvariant is causing the rise. This strain is highly contagious and is quickly becoming the dominant strain in Iowa as

Iowa news COVID-19 cases jump 30% in Iowa; hospitalizations up The state’s COVID-19 infection rate increased significantly last week when there were 5,187 new confirmed cases, a 30% jump from the week prior, according to the Iowa Department of Public Health. The increase snapped a two-month streak in which new

Iowa news Polk County’s first monkeypox case is confirmed; health officials say risk to general public is low Polk County’s first confirmed case of monkeypox was reported by county health officials Monday, marking the second reported case in Iowa. The person is isolated, receiving outpatient care and in touch with

Iowa news DMACC expands surgical technologist program in response to workforce needs Des Moines Area Community College’s surgical technologist program is preparing for a larger class this fall in a refreshed classroom with new equipment. That includes three practice operating rooms, recording equipment to allow professors to record labs and

Iowa news COVID-19 hospitalizations up, cases steady in Iowa in weekly coronavirus data update The COVID-19 pandemic remains steady in Iowa, according to recent data from the Iowa Department of Public Health and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that shows virtually no change in the number of new

Iowa news Mercy Medical Center – Cedar Rapids recognized by Fortune/Merative as a top 100 hospital Mercy Medical Center – Cedar Rapids has been named a top 100 hospital by Merative (formerly IBM Watson Health) and Fortune. For the rankings, 2,650 short-term, acute care, non-federal U.S. hospitals were evaluated on

Iowa news Probable monkeypox case reported in Iowa, but state health officials say risk to public is low Iowa’s first probable case of monkeypox has been reported in an adult from the north central part of the state, the Iowa Department of Public Health announced, but it said the risk

Iowa news Iowa COVID-19 hospitalizations down while new reported cases maintain recent pace The state of the COVID-19 pandemic in Iowa remained generally unchanged over the past week, according to data released by the Iowa Department of Public Health and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. New reported cases

Iowa news UIHC among top 20 health systems with strong finances, according to ratings services The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics is among the top 20 health systems with strong operational metrics and solid financial positions, according to reports from Fitch Ratings, Moody’s Investors Service and S&P Global Ratings.

Iowa news Donation aims to boost stroke care, health staff in rural Iowa Iowa is getting more than $9 million to improve its system of care for stroke patients, and to address staffing issues among public-health workers in rural areas. The money is being donated by the Helmsley Charitable Trust,

Iowa news What Iowans need to know about the new COVID-19 vaccine for children 6 months old and up For the first time Tuesday, U.S. children above 6 months in age received doses of COVID-19 vaccinations. After the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Iowa news Sanford to hire more than 700 foreign nurses by 2025 Sanford Health is planning to hire more than 700 internationally trained nurses over the next three years to work at the system’s four major medical centers and several critical access hospitals. Sanford has extended 860 job offers to