Tama County citizens sign in to receive their vaccination at a clinic held by Tama County Public Health.

The spread of COVID-19 continued this week with seven Tama County residents. That’s down from 21 infections the two weeks prior and 39 infections February 19.

As of Wednesday morning Tama County Public Health reported that 2216 Tama County residents have tested positive for COVID-19 since March 2020. That’s an increase from 2209 at the same time last Monday. Deaths in Tama County now total 68.

Vaccination information

Tama County plans to hold vaccination clinics this week on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday for Tier 1B as well as those 65 and older.

“If you are 65 and older we want you on our list, said Public Health nurse Penny Tyynismaa, “If you’ve not heard from us it may be due to an error in the phone number provided.”

Tyynismma explained public health has had some difficulty contacting those 65 and older due to incorrect phone numbers.

The vaccination clinics will be held at the former Iowa Juvenile Home in Toledo.

Currently all vaccinations coming into Tama County are being processed by Public Health with the exception of Dollar Fresh. Dollar Fresh is receiving vaccines through their own distributor.

Public Health officials are then allocating dosages to other facilities and pharmacies including Medicap, MercyOne in northern Tama County and Nucara Pharmacy in Traer.

Tama County did recently receive 500 doses of the single dose Johnson and Johnson vaccine. However they have been administered already to those in agriculture and food distribution.

Weather has created issues with deliveries however. Shipments were delayed a couple of weeks ago to do snowy conditions and that has created a back up. Medicap also had to postpone a clinic planned for last Friday due to a delay in shipment.

Tyynismaa anticipates public health will continue administering first round vaccinations for Tier 1B and those 65 and older through the end of March.

As a reminder you are not considered fully vaccinated until two weeks after the second shot or first shot in single dose series.

Two weeks after either the first single dosage or the second shot dosage the CDC has said you can be around other fully vaccinated people in doors without masks.

“For people who are not vaccinated and people in general, social distancing, masking and good handwashing are still our best defense to keep school in session and activities for that matter,” Tyynismaa said.

More information will be released at a later time when public health moves to Tier 1C.