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Everyone continuing to follow mitigation measures is key to limiting virus spread

Allamakee County one of 22 counties in Iowa still under stricter restrictions until May 15

Reported as of Monday, April 27 by Allamakee County and Iowa Public Health

Total confirmed cases to date: 72
Cases requiring hospitalization: 5 total, 2 currently
Deaths due to COVID-19: 3
Cases recovered/off isolation: 31
Cases currently recovering in self-isolation: 36
Number of tests sent to State Hygienic Lab (SHL)**: 96
Number of negative tests processed at SHL: 67
Number of tests pending at SHL: 5
 

by Brianne Eilers

Foreign exchange student programs offer teenagers across the globe the opportunity to travel to new places, experience new cultures and meet new people. For the 2019-2020 school year, Ibrahim Dabo has taken advantage of that program and traveled to the United States from the Republic of Mali, spending the past nine months as a student at Waukon High School.

The Republic of Mali is located in western Africa and has a population of around 20 million people. The capitol of Mali is Bamako, which is also the country’s largest city and where Ibrahim and his family live. Ibrahim’s older brother was also an exchange student five years ago and traveled to Hawaii.

One big factor in Ibrahim’s decision to be an exchange student was the fact that he has always wanted to visit America and try something different. He and his family also felt that this would be a good way for him to learn to be more responsible.

With the current COVID-19 pandemic impacting nearly all aspects of life, coordinators of the Allamakee County Food Shelf want the public to know that the Food Shelf is still open at its regular Thursday date and time in order to take care of those who may need its services offered.

Knowing the current economic impact the pandemic is having, Food Shelf co-coordinators Julie Rotach and Ann Roed have been a bit surprised that the demand for food has not been higher than what they’ve seen since pandemic restrictions and closures have been put in place. That surprise extends itself even further to the absence of some individuals who have been consistent visitors to the Food Shelf prior to the pandemic but have not been seen as of late.

“We’re not sure if they don’t think we are open because of the current situation, or if they just don’t feel safe in venturing out,” Rotach said. “We want everyone to know that we are still here and available to assist them, if need be.”

Only three polling site locations will be available for Primary Election

For the health of voters, the health of dedicated poll workers, and to help stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus, Allamakee County Auditor Denise Beyer encourages everyone to vote Absentee By Mail for the June 2 Primary election.

How does a person receive an absentee ballot? Most will receive an Absentee Ballot Request form in the mail this week from the Secretary of State. There was also an Absentee Ballot Request form printed in the April 22  of this newspaper. Other ways to receive Absentee Ballot Request forms include visiting www.allamakee.us/auditor2 or calling the Allamakee County Auditor’s office at 563-568-3522. Completed and signed Absentee Ballot Request forms should be mailed to Allamakee County Auditor, 110 Allamakee St, Waukon, IA 52172.

Reported as of Monday, April 20 by Allamakee County and Iowa Public Health

Total confirmed cases to date: 40
Cases requiring hospitalization: 5 total, 2 currently
Deaths due to COVID-19: 3
Cases recovered/off isolation: 19
Cases currently recovering in isolation: 14
Number of tests sent to State Hygienic Lab (SHL)**: 73
Number of negative tests processed at SHL: 51
Number of tests pending at SHL: 3
 

County is part of RMCC 6 now under stricter regulations after new April 16 proclamation

This past week brought the highest numbers of both confirmed cases and deaths experienced by Allamakee County thus far during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 17 new confirmed positive cases were reported this past week by the Iowa Department of Public Health, nearly doubling the county’s total case count in just one week, but the more unfortunate number is the two deaths reported this past week.

The two deaths were both reported in the middle of last week and involved Allamakee County residents in the 61-80 years of age range. According to an obituary on the Jandt-Frederickson Funeral Home website (www.jandtfredrickson.com), Debra Rae Larson, age 64, of Postville died in a La Crosse, WI hospital Tuesday, April 14 from complications of COVID-19.

The Allamakee County ATV/UTV Club conducted a countywide clean-up of roadside ditch areas as a means to give back to the county community that has been so supportive of the Club’s efforts. The clean-up event spanned two days, Friday and Saturday, April 10 and 11, and resulted in two large dump trailers and one dump truck being filled with a variety of discarded garbage and other items, as well as beverage cans and bottles, in addition to several pick-up loads of discarded tires (as pictured below). More than 300 combined hours of clean-up time was volunteered in the effort, with many members of the Allamakee County ATV/UTV Club, and even some non-members, participating, all while keeping the current social distancing measures in mind for the safety and health of all involved.

Due to ongoing measures and concerns relating to the current COVID-19 pandemic, The Standard recently reached out to the three nursing homes located within the local area to find out how residents and staff are navigating through this difficult time, how residents are staying connected with their families and if there are any requests they would like to share with the public. The questions that were provided to the three care facilities - Good Samaritan Society-Waukon, Northgate Care Center in Waukon and Thornton Manor in Lansing - and the responses received from administrators of each facility appear below, beginning beneath each facility’s respective photo.

For those wondering if, when or how a business in the local area is conducting business during the current COVID-19 pandemic, the accompanying listing has been compiled to let area residents know how these businesses are still working hard to meet the wants and needs of their local customers. Please use this listing to help meet your needs while helping to support our local business establishments during this challenging time. THANK YOU! This listing is also available in the April 15 issue of The Standard newspaper and NE Iowa Extra shopper!

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