January 13, 2022
- COVID-19 variant B.1.1.529 (Omicron), first identified in Iowa in early December, has become the dominant SARS-CoV-2 variant circulating in Linn County.
- CDC has recently updated recommendations for when people can receive a booster shot for Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines, shortening the interval from 6 months to 5 months.
- CDC has updated and shortened recommended isolation and quarantine period for general population.
- If you test positive for COVID-19: Everyone, regardless of vaccination status, should stay at home and isolate themselves from other people and animals in the home until no fever for at least 24 hours (without the use of medicine that reduces fevers), AND other symptoms have improved, AND at least 5 days have passed since symptoms first appeared. A well-fitting mask should be worn around others on day 6 through 10.
- For close contacts of individuals diagnosed with COVID-19: CDC recommends quarantining for 5 full days after your last exposure if you completed primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine over 5 months ago and are not boosted, completed primary series of Johnson & Johnson over 2 months ago and are not boosted, OR you are unvaccinated. A well-fitting mask should be worn around others on day 6 through 10, and a test performed on day 5, if possible. Close contacts who have received their COVID-19 booster vaccine or who have completed two-dose series of Pfizer or Moderna within the last 5 months or 1 dose series of Johnson & Johnson within the last 2 months do not need to quarantine. However, a mask should be worn around others for 10 days, and a test performed on day 5, if possible. If you develop symptoms, regardless of vaccination status, get a test and stay home.
- CDC has updated its recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines with a preference for people to receive an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna) over Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine. ACIP’s unanimous recommendation followed a robust discussion of the latest evidence on vaccine effectiveness, vaccine safety and rare adverse events, and consideration of the U.S. vaccine supply.
Vaccine Distribution Highlights
Vaccination progress among select populations as of January 10, 2022 |
| Percent fully vaccinated as of January 10, 2022 | Change from one week ago |
Age 65 and older (n=36,529 people) | 87.9% | 0.0% |
Age 12 and older (n=192,403 people) | 71.6% | 0.1% |
Age 5 and older (n=212,637) | 67.2% | 0.4% |
Total population (n=226,706 people) | 63.0% | 0.4% |
Vaccination status metrics are available on Linn County’s metrics dashboard.
Vaccine FAQs
COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions are updated frequently.
For questions about COVID-19 vaccine in Linn County:
As of 9:10 AM January 12, 2022
Linn County Case Count Data
- Active cases: 7,306
- Currently hospitalized: 49
- Total deaths: 500
- Total recovered: 34,592
- Total cases to date: 42,398
Case Trends
Note: The State of Iowa has transitioned from reporting positive individuals to positive tests. Linn County will continue to report positive individuals. Therefore, numbers from the state and Linn County dashboard will not match.
Additional data on COVID-19 cases is available on Linn County’s case count dashboard.
Linn County Metrics
| As of January 12, 2022 |
Test Positivity Rate* | 24.8% |
7-Day Test Positivity Rate | 40.8% |
14-Day Test Positivity Rate | 35.9% |
*Percent of positive tests to date since beginning of pandemic.
Additional Linn County metrics are available on Linn County’s metrics dashboard.
Preventing Spread of COVID-19
- Iowans with questions about vaccines for themselves or loved ones should consult with their healthcare provider. Vaccines are free, safe and available statewide. Find a provider: https://vaccinate.iowa.gov
- In addition to vaccination, Linn County Public Health continues to recommend the use of other mitigation approaches including staying home when you're sick, washing your hands, and wearing masks and social distancing as a layered approach to make virus spread less likely.
- In areas with substantial and high transmission, CDC recommends that everyone (including fully vaccinated individuals) wear a mask in public indoor settings to help prevent spread of Delta and to keep your family safe. Linn County is in a high transmission or "red" area as defined by the CDC.
For more COVID-19 information specific to Linn County, visit LinnCounty.org/COVID19.
