IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG) – Despite the more than 41,000 people now fully vaccinated in Johnson County, the number of COVID cases among younger people has become alarming.
In the past seven days, people aged 18 to 29 have accounted for the largest percentage of new positive cases in Iowa. Overall, the age group is 26% of the new positive tests.
But in Johnson County, nearly 40% of all cases are the same age group. 8% of the positive tests in Johnson County last week were under 17 and younger, compared to 4% nationwide.
The Iowa City School District reports nearly 1,000 students in quarantine as of Friday, April 9, with 57 positive cases and 84 suspected 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 guidance, which requires students to be quarantined whether or not they now have contact with a positive cause. It is stricter than the guidelines of the state, which are exposed to exposed students in quarantine if they do not wear a mask.
Sam Jarvis with Johnson County Public Health said they are aware of the large number of cases but cannot point to a specific reason.
‘We expected an increase in cases, probably due to the spring holidays or better weather. If anyone was traveling, seeing friends or family. At this point, we are unsure if there is anything specific about this or if it is a continuation of the journey, ‘Jarvis said.
Jarvis said Johnson County Public Health will continue to hold talks with the district on increasing matters. He said that this first week of open eligibility for COVID vaccines went well, but as we have heard many times, he hopes that people will be patient as there is a lot of demand for the limited supply.
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