Covid-19 numbers in Greene County are again up slightly. Greene County public health director Becky Wolf reports that as of March 10, the 14-day positivity rate for testing is 3.9 percent. There has been a total of 803 cases in the county; 102 are considered active. There have been 10 deaths due to Covid-19.
The process of vaccinating residents against Covid-19 continues. “With great collaboration between all Greene County vaccine providers, we’ve made significant progress in the past week,” Wolf said. A total of 2,687 doses have been provided to Greene County residents, with 897 fully vaccinated. Within the 65 years and older age group, a total of 1,631 doses have been given. Twenty-four percent are fully vaccinated, an increase from 15 percent on March 7.
Greene County public health is receiving 100 doses from the state per week. Hy-Vee Pharmacy in Jefferson is allocated about 300 doses of week from the CDC Retail Pharmacy Program.
Effective Monday, March 8, 2021, our local providers will work with the following groups to “get shots into arms:”
Hy-Vee Pharmacy:
- 65 and older
- 64 and younger with medical conditions that put them at increased risk for severe illness with COVID-19:
- Cancer
- Chronic kidney disease
- Chronic lung disease
- Down Syndrome
- Heart conditions
- Weakened immune system (such as solid organ transplant)
- Obesity (BMI of 30 or greater)
- Pregnancy
- Sickle cell disease
- Smoking
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus
- Healthcare providers
- PK-12 school staff
- Day care staff
- First responders
To sign up: Check Jefferson Hy-Vee Facebook link to sign up and check vaccine availability or call 515-386-4151
Greene County Public Health:
- 65 years and older
- Healthcare providers
- PK-12 school staff
- Day care staff
- First responders
- Individuals with disabilities that need attendant caregivers
- Attendant caregivers, as noted above
- Frontline essential workers in food, agriculture, distribution, and manufacturing sectors AND work or live in settings that make social distancing unfeasible, such as meatpacking plants
To sign up, we ask that all waiting list requests be submitted online at https://hipaa.jotform.com/210254625890152 Persons who do not have not computer or internet access, call 515-386-0564 for assistance
Medicap Pharmacy:
65 years and older
To sign up call 515-386-2164
Greene County Family Medicine Clinic:
Vaccinating oldest to youngest of 65 years of age and above
Individually contacting patients to schedule appointments
McFarland Clinic:
Vaccinating oldest to youngest of 65 years of age and above
Individually contacting patients to schedule appointments; clinic calls will come from phone number 833-332-0011
The national Centers for Disease Control recommends continuing Covid-19 precautions even after being vaccinated. Covid-19 vaccines are effective at protecting persons from getting sick, and a person is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving the last required dose of vaccine.
While the rate of vaccinations is increasing, the CDC estimated that just 9.2 percent of the U.S. population has been fully vaccinated. Until at least 80 percent of the population is vaccinated, even those who are vaccinated should continue precautions to protect those who aren’t vaccinated.
According to CDC guidance issued March 8, fully vaccinated people should continue wearing a mask and taking the current precautions when visiting with unvaccinated people who are not members of your household, and when around unvaccinated people who are at high risk of becoming severely ill from Covid-19.
If you’ve been fully vaccinated:
- You can gather indoors with fully vaccinated people without wearing a mask
- You can gather indoors with unvaccinated people or other members of your own household unless someone they live with has an increased risk for severe illness from Covid-19
- If you’ve been around someone who has Covid-19, you do not need to stay away from others or get tested unless you have symptoms. However, if you live in a group home setting and are around someone with Covid-19, you should still stay away from others for 14 days and get tested, even if you don’t have symptoms.
Wolf also shared guidance from the national Centers for Disease Control information about traveling over spring break. The CDC reminds everyone that travel increases the chances of getting and spreading Covid-19, and asks persons to consider delaying travel and staying home to protect themselves and others.
Those who are traveling should take the following precautions:
- If eligible, get fully vaccinated for Covid-19; wait two weeks to allow your body to build protection
- Get a viral test 1-3 days before travel; keep a copy of test results with you. Do NOT travel if you test positive.
- Check travel restrictions, including air travel, for re-entry into the U.S.
- Wear a mask.
- Avoid crowds.
- Wash hands frequently.
Do NOT travel if you were exposed to Covid-19, you are sick, or you test positive for Covid-19.
After returning home:
- Get a viral test 3-5 days after travel AND stay home and self-quarantine for a full seven days after travel
- Even if you test negative, continue self-quarantine at home
- If positive, isolate yourself to protect others from getting infected
- If you don’t get tested, stay home and self-quarantine for 10 days after travel
- Avoid being around people who are at increased risk for severe illness for 14 days, whether you get tested or not
International travel:
- All air passengers coming into the U.S. are required to have a negative Covid-19 test result (no more than three days before departure) or documentation of recovery from Covid-19 (proof of recent positive viral test and a letter from your healthcare provider stating you are cleared to travel) before boarding the return flight. Check with your airline to ensure proper information to provide with check-in.
- Check travel recommendations by destination at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/20190ncov/travelers/map-and-travel-notices.html
- Follow the above recommendations for after you return home.
