Reynolds anticipates all Iowans to become eligible for COVID-19 vaccine in April

Governor Kim Reynolds announced that all Iowans could become eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine as early as April 5.

The latest update from the White House is projecting an increase in supply for next week that is expected to increase even more in April. If the vaccine allocation is sufficient, Reynolds plans to expand eligibility to all Iowans.

"More vaccines means even more opportunities to vaccinate even more Iowans," said Reynolds during her weekly press conference. "Getting vaccinated is the most important thing that each of us can do to ensure that our state's recovery from COVID-19 is both strong and sustainable."

While many of the top priority groups have received at least their first dose of vaccine, opening up eligibility to even more people will continue to fuel demand on the still finite supply. For older and less technologically adept Iowans, this has led to frustrations in scheduling an appointment.

To help level the playing field, the state has established a dedicated team of schedulers that people 65 and over can utilize by calling 211. As there are still many seniors that have yet to get scheduled for their vaccine, the state will continue to restrict this service to those 65 and up for the immediate future.

"We're going to watch that closely for at least another week," said Reynolds.

The State of Iowa administered 168,791 doses to Iowa residents last week, bringing the total to 1,231,634. This includes 656,610 doses of Moderna, 587,905 doses of Pfizer, and 34,139 doses of Johnson & Johnson's Janssen vaccine.

461,479 individuals have completed their two-dose vaccination series thus far. Combined with the 34,139 that have received the one dose J&J vaccine, that brings the total of vaccinated Iowans to 495,618.

As of Sunday, March 14, there have been 345,785 individuals positive with COVID-19 in the state, increasing the 342,885 total from the week prior by 2,900, a drop in new cases from the previous week.

The state has performed a total of 4,477,055 tests on 1,613,696 individuals since the pandemic began, including 2,847,822 PCR tests and 1,477,055 antigen tests. In the last week the state has processed 41,823 PCR tests and 40,011 antigen tests.

The state has also stopped reporting on the number of individuals considered recovered, making it impossible to know current number of active cases at the moment.

In the last week, 7% of new cases have been among the elderly (age 80+), 16% among older adults (60-79); 29% among middle aged adults (40-59); 44% among young adults (18-39); and 4% among children.

116,408 Iowans have undergone serology testing for coronavirus antibodies, which would indicate that they have had the virus. Of that number, 21,714, about 19%, have tested positive for antibodies.

Of the 1,176 individuals tested in the last week, 1,018 of them (86%) have tested positive.

Hospitalizations rose up last week, with 171 hospitalized as of Sunday, an increase of ten from the week prior. Still, ICU cases are down, with just 37 in an ICU.

Reported deaths dramatically decreased last week, with just 34 deaths being added to the state total, less than half of what was reported the previous week. This brings the state's death total to 5,675.

In total, approximately 3,332 elderly (58.73%); 1,955 older adults (34.45%), 339 middle aged adults (5.97%), 46 young adults (.81%), and at least one child (.04%) have died from the virus since the pandemic began.

Seven new deaths have been reported from long term care facilities, bringing the total count to 2,225.

Hopefully though, that number will go no higher as Iowa is reporting zero outbreaks in any of the state's long term care facilities for the first time in nearly a year. Not since the first outbreak was reported last April has the state been free of COVID-19 in their long term care facilities. However, with the vaccination of most residents and staff complete, it is hoped that these facilities can finally prepare to open back up to family visits.