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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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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.