Johnson County Public Health (JCPH) will launch an electronic COVID-19 self-reporting form to provide the public the ability to share their positive rapid antigen at-home test kit result. Rapid antigen tests administered at home are not reported to the state’s disease surveillance system or counted when reporting case numbers. The information reported to JCPH will not affect the CDC’s COVID-19 Community Level, but the self-reporting information will provide better insight into local community transmission as JCPH continues to monitor COVID-19 disease trends.

During the past week, there has been a 62% increase in cases from the previous week, and Johnson County is now considered at a Medium level of Community Transmission. With the increase in the number of people testing at home rather than through a doctor’s office, the true number of cases is likely much higher. By tracking at home tests JCPH staff will have a more accurate picture of the prevalence of COVID-19 in our community and be more equipped to provide the best possible guidance to our community. “The self-reporting form will likely not capture all rapid antigen at home tests, but for those that it does, the public is doing a small service to help us stay more informed than we normally would,” said Jennifer Miller, Disease Prevention Specialist.

While cases are incrementally increasing, severity of the disease remains low due to low COVID-19 hospital admissions and reported deaths due to COVID-19. “Our community is in a far safer place due to our higher vaccination rate and we will continue to encourage everyone to get vaccinated and boosted while we monitor our local situation,” said Sam Jarvis, Community Health Manager.

If you or someone you know tests positive for COVID-19, please go to the JCPH website for up to date isolation and quarantine guidance. If you have further questions about COVID-19 illness, exposure or vaccination, please contact us at 319-356-6040 or [email protected].

The reporting form is located here: https://johnsoncountyiowa.iad1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3mJrBn5fyuhHDHE

Vaccination remains the best protection from serious illness and death from COVID-19. Getting vaccinated and boosted, wearing a mask in indoor public places, and if you have symptoms, staying home and isolating from others helps prevent transmission.