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by Lissa Blake

When emergency personnel respond to a 911 call, their primary concern is always to take care of the needs of the patients or victims who are the focus of the emergency call.

But during a pandemic such as what the entire world is currently facing with the COVID-19 outbreak, those responding now need to coordinate even greater measures to take care of themselves as well.

STAYING HEALTHY
Allamakee County Sheriff Clark Mellick explained how important it is to keep people who are first on the scene of an emergency response healthy.

“COVID-19 has really changed how we respond. We need to get the people the services they need, but we also don’t want to deplete our resources (by exposing emergency personnel),” said Mellick.

Mellick said when law enforcement is called to the scene of an incident, they are donning PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), including an N-95 mask and safety glasses.

A week similar to the very first week of confirmed Allamakee County cases of COVID-19 played out this past week within the county, as six new cases were reported over a period of four different days. It was one month ago, March 15, that the first confirmed cases were reported for Allamakee County and began a week of six initial confirmed cases, with this past week equaling that same initial week number to leave the total confirmed case count at 23 for Allamakee County.

Reported through Monday, April 13 by Allamakee County Public Health

Total confirmed cases to date: 23
Cases requiring hospitalization: 5 total, 3 currently
Deaths due to COVID-19: 1
Cases recovered/off isolation: 15
Cases currently recovering in isolation: 4
Number of tests sent to State Hygienic Lab (SHL)**: 63
Number of negative tests processed at SHL: 46
Number of tests pending at SHL: 0

Michele Wood (photo above) of Waukon recently painted an Easter greeting on the outside window of her grandmother’s room at Good Samaritan Society-Waukon prior to the Easter holiday observed Sunday, April 12. Her grandmother, Dorothy Gelo (pictured below in photo taken through the window), was able to watch the creation being completed from inside her room at the facility. Wood and the Gelo family appreciate Good Samaritan Society-Waukon allowing the opportunity to share some Easter spirit within their family during this time when they can’t physically be together. Submitted photos.
 

State 4-H Recognition is the process in which 4-H members in grades 9-12 can apply to be selected for opportunities such as State 4-H Project Awards, State 4-H Council, Shooting Sports Ambassadors and Iowa 4-H Reporters, and to attend National 4-H Congress and National 4-H Conference. Participating 4-H youth complete written applications and participate in interviews with a panel of adult evaluators.

Video teleconferencing was used for this year’s Recognition Day because of social distancing recommendations from Iowa State University due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and 125 youth took part in 230 interviews for special statewide opportunities. Allamakee County 4-H’ers Diana Davison and Faith Palmer applied, interviewed and received recognition at this year’s event.

Further explanation on situation and rumors involving Postville after highest single-day case total reported

After a somewhat calming week that featured just one reported positive case of COVID-19 in Allamakee County during the final week of March, this past week that opened the month of April featured another eye-opening reality that this pandemic virus can be unpredictable and requires continuous adherence to the mitigation policies put in place.

After a week had passed since that lone positive case for Allamakee County in the final week of March was reported March 25, the latest dose of reality came Thursday, April 2 when the Iowa Department of Public Health announced eight more positive cases for the county - the county’s highest single-day report that more than doubled the previous total of seven positive cases that had been reported in the county since its first positive case had been made known March 15.

(Does not include newest case reported Monday, April 6)

Total cases to date (As of Sunday, April 5): 17
Cases requiring hospitalization: 4
Deaths due to COVID-19: 1
Cases recovered/off isolation: 13
Number of tests sent to State Hygienic Lab (SHL)**: 59
Number of negative tests processed at SHL: 42
Number of tests pending at SHL: 3

**NOTE: Allamakee County Public Health is not able to track the number of negative tests conducted on Allamakee County residents at reference labs such as Gundersen, Mayo, University of Iowa, etc. All positive tests from these facilities are reported to the Iowa Department of Public Health, who then notifies Allamakee County Public Health to initiate follow-up measures locally.
 

by Lissa Blake

In light of Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds’ recent extension of school closures from April 13 to April 30 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, all schools in Allamakee County remain closed for the time being.

Eastern Allamakee Community School District Superintendent Dr. Dale Crozier said, “Eastern Allamakee will follow the Governor’s order and we will keep our schools closed through April 30. We will continue to offer voluntary learning opportunities as it currently is right now until further notice. Our meal-site program will also continue.”

Allamakee Community School District Superintendent Jay Mathis said this week students will begin online learning opportunities through the District’s learning management system. “Teachers will post some video lessons and there will be links to activities. It will also provide a forum for students to ask questions,” said Mathis.

Three highway projects scheduled by the Wisconsin and Iowa Departments of Transportation (DOT) this year will have some travel impact for area motorists, beginning as early as the middle of this month of April and some continuing on through the summer months. Two projects by the Wisconsin DOT along the Mississippi River are slated to begin in April and impact travel to and from Wisconsin, while the Iowa DOT is scheduled to conduct a repaving project of State Highway 9 beginning in late April/early May and lasting throughout the summer.

All project timelines are dependent upon weather conditions. They are described in greater detail below:

From: Allamakee County Emergency Management Agency, Allamakee County Public Health and the Allamakee County Sheriff’s Office

The following release is to provide information related to various rumors and statements specific to the community of Postville and to also provide additional information related to the COVID-19 response within Allamakee County.

There have been numerous calls, emails and social media posts reference the arrival of busloads of people within Postville from outside jurisdictions.  In conversation with the local officials in Postville, to include law enforcement and the leadership within the community mentioned, there is no evidence or credible proof that this is occurring. While travel is recommended to be restricted in many cases from certain areas, this is not mandated, and people are still free to travel within the United States.  Our guidance to everyone is to avoid unnecessary travel at this time and social distancing is in place.