(Radio Iowa) – Iowa’s largest hospital used its entire week’s allotment of COVID-19 vaccines in a single day. Wednesday was the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics’ first day of inoculating people over 65. Hospital C-E-O Suresh Gunasekaran says the quick rollout of one-thousand doses shows the Iowa City medical center is ready to scale up as vaccine supplies increase. “Soon as we get the doses, we have the capability in this community to get that in people’s arms within a day or two,” Gunasekaran says. “Even if the number is 1,000 or 2,000 or 3,000, we really feel like we could do that in a single day.”

Now that the U-K variant of the coronavirus has been identified in Iowa, he says there’s even more urgency to speed up vaccinations. The U-I-H-C is offering appointments to those 65 and older through a random lottery and working with community groups to expand accessibility. Gunasekaran says he understands the frustration of those waiting for a shot, but he says more supplies are becoming available. “There is reason for optimism as we move forward that we’ll be able to get more vaccine,” he says. “The reality is today that we don’t have as much vaccine as we have eligible Iowans. We know the importance of continuing our safety standards, the importance of social distancing.”

Walgreens and C-V-S report getting another 32-thousand doses of COVID-19 vaccines that are available for Iowans 65 or older. They’re being distributed to stores in 11 Iowa counties. Appointments can be made through the pharmacies’ websites. A New York Times report ranks Iowa third to last in the country for administering the vaccines per capita.

Creston Police report two men were arrested on separate, Driving While Barred, charges. 27-year old Zakary Titus, of Des Moines, was arrested at around 9:14-a.m. Wednesday. He was released from the Union County Jail on a Promise to Appear in court. And, 44-year old Jeremiah Lee Parcher, of Creston, was arrested a little after 2-p.m. Wednesday. He was later released from the Union County Jail on a $2,000 bond.

Numerous accidents have been reported this (Thursday) morning along Interstate 80, both east and westbound. No injuries have been reported. In most cases, vehicles – especially semi tractor-trailers, spun out, or in the case of semi’s, at least partially jackknifed.

DOT Snow plow cam on I-80 near Atlantic. (6-a.m.)

In some cases, both lanes or a single lane was blocked or partially blocked in several locations. Highway 92 eastbound near Treynor was blocked on the right should, due to an accident. Tow bans are being implemented for Pottawattamie, Cass and Mills Counties. If your vehicle enters the ditch or median, it will not be towed until weather conditions improve.

Road conditions as of 6:48-a.m.

Visibility is limited in the area. I-80 from Highway 25 west to Highway 48 is completely snow covered. I-80 from Highway 48 west was partially covered as of 6:45-a.m.

Other roads are also completely or partially covered with snow. For the latest road conditions, go to 511ia.org or call 5-1-1.

Interstate 80 westbound in Cass County is currently blocked by a jackknifed semi tractor trailer. Marne and Atlantic Fire were dispatched to the scene just before 6-a.m. at the 54 mile marker. Unknown is any injuries at this time.  The 49-mile marker was also blocked in both lanes westbound. (update 6:15)

Also, as of 6:09-a.m., I-80 westbound at the 64 mile marker was blocked in one lane on the bridge.