Health experts warn Iowa could see bigger uptick in COVID-19 cases following 4th of July celebrations

DES MOINES, Iowa (KCCI) - Some health experts are warning Iowans may see an even bigger uptick in COVID-19 cases following 4th of July celebrations.

Doctor Ravi Vemuri at MercyOne in Des Moines says the increase in positive cases could come around July 18th, exactly two weeks after the holiday.

He expects it to take days for people to get tested and even more time before his team starts seeing patients.

“It takes a week or two for people to get sick enough to come to the hospital,” Dr. Vemuri said. “We’re kind of waiting with bated breath.”

Right now, the Iowa Department of Public Health reports there are at least 177 patients hospitalized for COVID-19.

At least 54 patients are in the ICU and at least 30 have been admitted in the last 24 hours.

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