Hunter
08/26/21
The Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus is causing a surge in cases in Johnson County as well as the rest of the state, and officials at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics are urging residents to return to the healthy practices they implemented during the early days of the pandemic.
The Daily Iowan reports that there were 26 adults and 5 children being treated for COVID-19 in the UI health care system as of Monday.
Clinics Chief Medical Officer Theresa Brennan says that the Delta variant is more transmissible because it sticks to human cells more aggressively. That’s why health experts urge residents to mask up, avoid crowds and maintain social distance. And urging every eligible person to get a vaccination.
Kevin Doerschug is the medical director for the Intensive Care Unit, and tells the DI his staff is exhausted after 18 months of treating patients for COVID. Additionally, there are a low number of ICU beds available which continues to pose a threat for people needing care. He too is urging mask wearing and getting the vaccine to protect others and stop the spread of the Delta variant.