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Wed
22
Apr

Local nursing homes share their experiences in taking care of some of the most vulnerable population during current COVID-19 pandemic

Good Samaritan Society - Waukon ...
Good Samaritan Society - Waukon ...
Northgate Care Center ...
Northgate Care Center ...
Thornton Manor ...
Thornton Manor ...

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.

Thu
16
Apr

HOW TO DO BUSINESS WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

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!

Download PDF Version: https://fliphtml5.com/download/download-pdf-file.php?str=x0DZh9GTud3bENX...

Wed
15
Apr

Allamakee County emergency response agencies taking extra measures to keep residents, and themselves, as safe as possible when called to duty

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.

Wed
15
Apr

Allamakee County reports six more confirmed COVID-19 cases this week

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.

Wed
15
Apr

Allamakee County COVID-19 Statistics

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

Wed
15
Apr

In the spirit of Easter ...

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.
 

Wed
15
Apr

Pair of Allamakee County 4-H members awarded during State 4-H Recognition Day

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.

Wed
08
Apr

Allamakee County COVID-19 cases more than double this past week; Health officials emphasize importance of mitigation measures to prevent spread

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.

Wed
08
Apr

Allamakee County COVID-19 Statistics Reported through Sunday, April 5 by Allamakee County Public Health

(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.
 

Wed
08
Apr

Schools in Allamakee County offering online learning opportunities during extended closure for COVID-19


Schools now closed through the end of April ... An order issued by Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds Thursday, April 2 extended the closure of Iowa schools and some businesses through April 30 in an effort to slow the spread of the current COVID-19 pandemic. Schools had initially been closed four weeks, through April 13, following Governor Reynolds’ first order issued March 15, but an expected peak in COVID-19 cases as the month of April progresses forced the extended closure. Those first four weeks had been waived as far as having to make up missed school days, but in order for schools to have these next two weeks waived as well they must submit a plan to the Iowa Board of Education by April 10 to implement a voluntary or required continuous education plan for students, which both the Allamakee Community School District and the Eastern Allamakee Community School District intend to do, as indicated in the article below.

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.

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