COVID numbers low in Union County

Union County has had two positive tests for COVID-19 in the past seven days, Union County Emergency Management Director Jo Anne Duckworth said during the Board of Supervisors meeting Monday.

The two tests equal a 1.7% seven-day positivity rate. The 14-day rate was at 3.4%. As of Tuesday morning those numbers had dropped to 0.8% and 2.8%, according to the Iowa coronavirus website. Union County’s rate is lower than the state-wide rates of 4.3% and 4%, respectively.

Neighboring county 7-day percentages are Taylor 2%, Ringgold 8%, Adams 0%, Adair 5%, Madison 4%, and Clarke 2%.

In total Union County has had 1,285 positive tests with 31 deaths.

Vaccines

Union County Public Health Nurse Robin Sevier, who phoned into the supervisors meeting, said 252 doses of COVID-19 vaccine were administered by public health in the past week. Union County continues to receive 200 doses per week for first-dose patients and is receiving 200-doses per week for those who are ready for the second dose.

Sevier announced there will be a new self-scheduling system for COVID-19 vaccinations as of March 25. A subsequent press release from Greater Regional Health gave more details.

Governor Kim Reynolds had announced March 17 that all Iowans could be eligible for the vaccine on April 5. Sevier cautioned that this date is subject to vaccine availability.

“If I’m only getting 200 doses, I can’t give it to everybody,” Sevier said.

Union County continues to receive the Moderna vaccine, which does not need ultra-cold storage, Sevier said. She said she did not anticipate receiving any of the Johnson and Johnson one-dose vaccine in the near future.