COVID-19 surge in Iowa City is felt in K-12 and university classrooms
Students from kindergarten to college in Iowa City have felt the impact of the latest surge of COVID-19 in the classroom since returning from winter break.
That's prompted the Iowa Community School District to find ways to hold classes when so many of its employees are out sick. At the University of Iowa, the return of thousands of students to campus in January enlivened questions about in-person learning without mask or vaccine requirements. The university is its largest spike in cases this academic year.
The upward trend of COVID-19 cases in Johnson County is tied to broad community transmission of the omicron variant, not just in school settings, according to Sam Jarvis, community health division manager with Johnson County Public Health. Positive cases are being recorded throughout the county.
"We certainly saw a steady amount of cases the past couple of weeks. But it was not just university-related and very indicative to high community transmission and, as many know likely due to the omicron and delta variant," Jarvis said via email on Monday.
While the seven-day positivity rate in Johnson County is 26% overall — close to the average across Iowa of 24% — it's possible to break down the data by age and that shows local cases are skewing younger. In Johnson County, 27% of positives are being recorded for people age 17 and younger; 22% for those aged 18-29; and 19% for 30-39-year-olds.
As time goes on and more rapid tests are available, it will likely become difficult to know the true picture of transmission, Jarvis said.
"Overall (we) hope that folks continue to maintain vigilance and mask up, seek out testing, continue to implement other measures when gathering, and above all, stay up to date with vaccinations," he said.
More: Employee absences forcing Iowa City schools to brainstorm ways to keep doors open amid COVID
University of Iowa enters third week of classes, with positive cases mounting
The number of new COVID-19 cases reported daily at the University of Iowa — which does not account for undetected or unreported cases — has been creeping up since the end of December.
Since the first day of spring semester classes Jan. 18, at least 68 cases among students and employees have been reported daily. They contribute to the total of 2,914 cases, split almost evenly among students and employees, reported since the first day of classes this academic year.
There were 31,206 students enrolled at the university as of fall 2021. The university's data dashboard shows 1,485 students have tested positive since August, or 4.75%.
More: Johnson County Public Health Department recognized as Press-Citizen's 'People of the Year'
Masks and vaccinations are encouraged, but not required, at UI and the two other public universities governed by Iowa's Board of Regents. Those guidelines, plus the requirement that classes take place in-person in most cases, have garnered criticism from the graduate student union and others.
"The University’s current plans for in-person learning with no additional safety measures for the Spring 2022 term are entirely unacceptable," reads a Jan. 11 letter to university leadership from UE Local 896 Campaign to Organize Gradate Students. "By failing to act now, the University administration and Board of Regents are placing thousands of people at risk of infections, and potentially at risk of hospitalization, disability, and death."
The union advocated that all classes should take place online during the first two weeks of the semester. Its members also argued for a rule making it so "if, at any time, 3% or more of the University community test positive for COVID-19, all in-person activities (e.g. classes, university-sponsored events, meetings, etc.) will be halted for at least one week."
On. Jan 13, UI President Barbara Wilson acknowledged the difference of opinion about holding classes face-to-face during a period of high transmission in the state. She encouraged campus members to get vaccinated, wear masks and take advantage of KN95 respirators provided by the university.
"Yesterday, we received updated guidance from the Board of Regents stating that we are expected to engage in a face-to-face environment this semester. For many of you, this is a welcome relief. For others, it is discouraging news. I have heard from both sides. Today, I would like to take a moment to encourage us all to put aside our differences and commit to working together, as Hawkeyes do," Wilson wrote.
Iowa City schools surpass 2,000 student cases since August
A total of 2,105 students and 366 staff in the Iowa City Community School District have reportedly tested positive for COVID-19 since late August, district data show.
With 14,820 students enrolled, that means about 14% of students have tested positive.
Masks are still required in Iowa City schools. That's despite a federal court ruling last week that led districts including Burlington, Marshalltown, Ames, Urbandale, Cedar Rapids and West Des Moines to remove their masking requirements.
But the virus' spread in the community — and subsequent shortage of employees — prompted Iowa City district leadership to plan ways to prevent school closures if need be.
Ideas floated at a January school board meeting included combining classes and relying on administrators and teachers who don't work in school-based positions to cover absences, among others. In the first week of January, 13% of all staff districtwide were absent from work.
The Iowa City school district operates a drive-through COVID-19 testing site at Liberty High School. Midwest Covid Clinics also opened a new, free testing site Monday at 1926 Keokuk St. in Iowa City.
Free TestIowa test kits are available for pick-up at various locations in Iowa City, including the public library. Details can be found at: https://www.testiowa.com/en/.
Cleo Krejci covers education for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. You can reach her at ckrejci@press-citizen.com.
This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: COVID surge in Johnson County tied to 'broad community transmission'
