COVID-19 Strain Detected in Jefferson County

May 4, 2021

FAIRFIELD, IA — The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH), along with Jefferson County Public Health, have confirmed two cases of the COVID-19 variant, SARS-CoV-2 B.1.617, are present in Jefferson County. This is the first time the variant has been confirmed in the state of Iowa. Jefferson County Health Center (JCHC) is aware of the cases and communicating with the state and local public health departments.

The B.1.617 COVID-19 variant was first detected in India, and is not designated as a “variant of concern,” indicating there is not currently evidence of increased transmission rates or more severe disease caused by the variant. It is one of many COVID-19 variants that have emerged throughout the pandemic. 

View the IDPH press release on the COVID-19 variant here.

Research indicates that a COVID-19 vaccination should provide some level of protection against COVID-19 variants. JCHC encourages anyone over the age of 16 to be vaccinated. In addition, it is important to continue practicing precaution and mitigation efforts, such as wearing masks, maintaining social distance, frequent handwashing, and self-isolating when sick.

About Jefferson County Health Center

Jefferson County Health Center (JCHC) is a non-profit, critical access hospital that seeks to optimize the health and well-being of the people and communities they serve through patient-centered, high quality, and compassionate services. They offer many services including primary care, emergency medicine, imaging and diagnostic testing, medical/surgical inpatient care, therapy services, and more.