Iowa news
Most Iowans are confident the pandemic will keep fading, but Democrats and women are more likely than Republicans and men to say they fear we still could see another coronavirus spike, a new Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll shows. Overall, 66% of Iowa adults say they’re confident the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to decline, according to the poll. Just 28% say they’re worried about new surges of cases or deaths, and 6% aren’t sure. (Des Moines Register)
Starts Right Here, MercyOne partner in pro-vaccination video
MercyOne, in partnership with Starts Right Here, has developed a message to encourage all to consider receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. The video, titled “COVID-19 Vaccine: I Hear Your Opinions,” showcases the importance of COVID-19 vaccine adoption and the idea that “to do nothing may leave us with nothing.” The video is in response to a continuing reduction in COVID-19 vaccinations nationwide. Starts Right Here is a nonprofit organization that aims to inspire at-risk youths in the Des Moines Public Schools and motivate those students through speaking events. (YouTube.com)
Herd immunity may be out of reach for Iowa, public health officials say
Since vaccines have become more widely available earlier this year, the state has experienced a sharp drop in hospitalizations and deaths as a result of COVID-19. The demand for COVID-19 vaccines has declined sharply in recent weeks, stalling statewide momentum for protection against the virus. Public health officials’ efforts to get more shots in arms still is ongoing, but some local public health officials in rural Iowa counties say their jurisdiction likely will never reach that threshold needed to achieve herd immunity against the coronavirus. (The Gazette)
National news
How vaccines stack up against CDC’s 5 variants of concern
The CDC designated the delta variant of the coronavirus — first identified in India — as a “variant of concern” June 15, reigniting attention on the race between vaccines and coronavirus variants. The new classification comes amid mounting evidence that the variant spreads more easily than existing strains and causes more severe infections. People infected by the delta variant may have twice the risk of hospitalization of people infected with the alpha variant first identified in the UK, according to research released this week from Scotland. In May, the U.K.’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies also said the delta variant could be up to 50 percent more transmissible than alpha, which is currently the dominant strain in the U.S., though research is still preliminary. (Becker’s Hospital Review)
As vaccinations rise, COVID-19 case counts hit zero in US hospitals once overrun by virus patients
The first pandemic surge flooded Boston Medical Center with COVID-19 patients: 229 at last spring’s peak, filling nearly two-thirds of its beds. This week, the coronavirus count hit zero. There were precisely no patients with the virus in the entire sprawling urban hospital, which had borne a heavy load through the pandemic. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
Hospitals, health systems mandating vaccines for workers
The number of hospitals and health systems requiring COVID-19 vaccination for employees continues to grow amid efforts to end the pandemic. (Becker’s Hospital Review)