(December 3) Following an announcement by the Centers for Disease Control that it was changing its recommendation on lengths of quarantines, Johnson County Department of Health and Environment (JCDHE) updated its quarantine recommendations for individuals who are close contacts of positive COVID-19 cases. The new recommendations provided two different options on quarantine length based on getting or not getting a COIVD-19 test.

(December 7) Testing opportunities increased in Johnson County. The state announced plans to double the amount of testing by the end of the year and launched the Go Get Tested website. JCDHE continued to partner with the Mid America Regional Council and other local organizations to increase testing opportunities through pop-up community events while continuing to offer its appointment-based, drive-thru testing.

(December 21) The first doses of COVID-19 vaccine arrived at JCDHE. Following the directions of the state, JCDHE’s early clinics were for county health department workers, paramedics and other first responders. After that, the county opened appointments for health care workers who were unable to get a vaccination from their own employer, such as a hospital or doctor’s office.