Come for the music, food, and games and stay for a chance to better protect yourself, your community and ease the strain on our area healthcare system thanks to Rural Health and Safety of Eastern Iowa.

The non-profit organization that has been active since 2012 has been hosting free mobile COVID-19 vaccine clinics in their seven-county region with recent stops in Kalona and at the Washington Farmers’ Market. They’re returning to Central Park for another clinic from 4-7 p.m. Saturday during the Latino Festival. Rural Health Board Secretary Stephanie Leonard shares why she volunteers her time and efforts to organize these clinics, “When we have a turnout and people come, if we even have one person, it’s worth it. I mean we’re just really glad that at least one person is taking a step towards protection. And that’s multiplied several times because by the time they’re fully vaccinated they’re much less likely to become sick or to pass it onto someone else and that’s plenty of a reward.”

COVID-19 hospitalizations in Iowa have increased to numbers not seen since last December, with total patients at 638 and those in the ICU at 161 as of Wednesday. In Region 5, which includes Washington County, there are 146 hospitalized with 50 in the ICU. The state dashboard shows those not fully vaccinated account for 83.9% of those in the ICU and 80.5% of those hospitalized. Free COVID-19 vaccines are available for those 12 and older Saturday, with no appointments needed, and a Spanish interpreter on hand to help answer questions.