IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG) – Despite more than 41,000 people completely vaccinated in Johnson County, the number of COVID cases among the youngest has become a cause for concern.
In the past seven days, people aged 18 to 29 have accounted for the largest percentage of new positive cases in Iowa. Across the state, this age group accounts for 26% of new positive tests.
But in Johnson County, nearly 40 percent of all cases are from the same age group. 8% of positive tests in Johnson County over the past week were 17 years or younger, compared to 4% statewide.
The Iowa City School District reports about 1,000 students in quarantine as of Friday, April 9, with 57 positive cases and 84 alleged positive cases. The two schools with the most confirmed cases and quarantined students are Northwest Junior High and City High School.
Iowa City schools follow CDC guidelines, which require students to be quarantined if they have had close contact with a positive case, masked or not. This is stricter than the state guidance, which only requires exposed students to be quarantined if they were not wearing a mask.
Sam Jarvis of Johnson County Public Health said he is aware of the high number of cases, but could not point out any specific reasons.
“We anticipated an increase in general cases, probably due to spring break trips or the best weather. If a person was traveling, they were seeing friends or family. At this time and time, we’re not sure if there’s anything specific about that or if it’s a continuation of the journey, ”Jarvis said.
Jarvis said Johnson County Public Health will continue to hold talks with the district on increasing cases. He said that this first week of open eligibility for COVID vaccines has gone well, but, as we have heard many times, he expects people to have patience as there has been a lot of demand for limited supply.
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