COVID-19 related hospitalizations have slowed down this week after three consecutive weeks of setting 2021 records.

Last week, the Iowa Department of Public Health reported 823 active hospitalizations due to COVID-19 infections, and this week, the total is down to 747 hospitalizations. In the last 24 hours, 132 people were admitted. There are 158 patients in intensive care, down from 173 a week ago.

More than 81 percent of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 are not fully vaccinated, including 88 percent of ICU patients. Seventy-five percent of hospitalizations list COVID infection as the primary diagnosis.

The 70 to 79 age group makes up 24 percent of COVID hospitalizations, the most of any age group, followed by 60 to 69 years old with 22 percent. There are eight children under 17 years old hospitalized including five under 11 years old. None are fully vaccinated.

Across Iowa, about 26 percent of inpatient hospital beds are available. ICU bed availability has shrunk dramatically since September, dropping from more than 300 available on Sept. 7 to just 130 available on Tuesday.

New cases of the virus remain fairly consistent over the last week, with 9,472 positive cases in the last seven days. A surge in cases is expected with the spread of the new Omicron variant, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports spreads faster than the Delta variant. Omicron has already become the dominant strain of the virus in the United States, accounting for more than 70 percent of new cases.

A CDC report on Omicron published on Monday states the new variant will spread faster for two reasons: it is more transmissible and is able to evade immunity which was gained by past infection and vaccination. This means the new strain can cause breakthrough infections at a higher rate than Delta. This report was based on variant data from other countries like South Africa and the United Kingdom as well as model projections of outbreak scenarios.

The report further states Omicron is likely to lead to another surge in cases in the U.S. which could peak as late as April 2022.

The CDC is recommending a similar approach to the holidays as last year. Its holiday guidance suggests wearing a mask, social distancing, frequent hand washing and getting a COVID-19 vaccine or booster for those who are eligible. Individuals are also encouraged to take a COVID test before gathering with others. Additionally, people who are not fully vaccinated are encouraged to wear masks in public indoor settings and not travel until they are fully vaccinated.

There have been 7,799 deaths related to COVID in Iowa, including 94 in Marshall County. The county did not report any new deaths this week. Polk County has reported 853 deaths since the start of the pandemic, the most of any county in Iowa. One hundred and nineteen people have died with COVID-19 in the last week in Iowa.

The county’s seven-day positivity rate went up to five percent this week after dropping to four percent a week ago. Nineteen percent of cases are in children under 17 and another 19 percent are in the 30 to 39 age group. Iowa’s rate of positivity is more than 10 percent.

More than 58 percent of Iowans ages 12 and older have been fully vaccinated, including more than 61 percent of Marshall County residents. Seventy-five percent of adults in the county are fully vaccinated, including 95 percent of adults 65 and older. More than 4.5 million vaccine doses have been administered.

COVID-19 IN MARSHALL COUNTY

• Seven day percent of positive test rate: 5 percent

• Seven day number of cases: 74

• CDC transmission level: HIGH

• Eligible and Fully vaccinated (not included 5-11 year old): 58.5 percent

• New deaths this week: 0

• Total deaths: 94