Of the patients hospitalized with COVID-19, 90% are unvaccinated. | Canva
Of the patients hospitalized with COVID-19, 90% are unvaccinated. | Canva
Polk County, like many other counties around the country, is experiencing a COVID-19 surge landing dozens of people in the hospital. Polk County has now been in a surge for six straight weeks.
In a statement released by Polk County Health Department on Facebook, officials said, “Beginning Monday, August 23, COVID-19 vaccines will be administered at the Health Department BY APPOINTMENT ONLY! This ensures our staff will be able to serve everyone in a timely manner. Please visit https://www.immunizepolk.com/ to register for an appointment.”
The prevalence of COVID-19 in the last few weeks has overwhelmed health agencies and has made it more difficult for them to continue their traditional contact tracing efforts, The Hawk Eye reported. Health officials say that it is not feasible to be able to find and contact every individual that has been exposed to the virus, as it can take up to a week for health officials to reach out due to their case load.
One encouraging sign is that vaccination rates in the county are increasing. Due to the demand, vaccinations can only be made by appointment, We Are Iowa reported.
Franny Medieros with Polk County Emergency Management said that of hospitalized COVID-19 patients, 90% are unvaccinated patients, We Are Iowa reported. Accordingly, public health officials in the county are communicating to citizens and urging them to get vaccinated.
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