Community News Stories

Fillmore County Public Health Official Statement

Date:  March 31, 2020 11:00 AM

Contact:  Jessica Erickson, Director of Nursing

Phone:  Coronavirus Hotline 507-765-2642

Fillmore County COVID-19 Case Update

On March 31, 2020, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) confirmed one new positive case of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Fillmore County.  This case involves a female in her 40s.

As of March 31 2020, the current coronavirus case counts for Fillmore County are below.

*Note 3/28/2020.  MDH provided updated information to Fillmore County regarding cases.  One case among a male in his 20s has been reclassified to a male in his 40s.

Fillmore County Public Health is working with MDH and health care partners to address needs of these patients and provide guidance to others who may have had contact with them.

The coronavirus that causes COVID-19 is spread primarily by respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes, similar to how influenza is spread.  It can also spread when people touch surfaces that have been contaminated by an infected person and then touch their eyes, nose or mouth.

Fillmore County Public Health would like to stress again the importance of continuing to do the things that can limit the spread of the coronavirus:

• Stay home and away from others if you are sick
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with your elbow or tissue
• Wash your hands frequently for 20 seconds with soap and water
• Avoid touching your face.

More information about coronavirus is available website at www.health.state.mn.us.  The MDH public hotline at 1-800-657-3903 is open 7AM to 7PM.  The Fillmore County COVID-19 hotline for media and the public is available Monday thru Friday from 8 AM to 4:30 PM. This number is 507-765-2642.

The deadline for the State of Iowa Small Business Relief Grant Program and Tax Deferral is tomorrow, March 31st at 12:00pm. If you need state assistance to help your business through this time, make sure you complete this application. Feel free to reach out with any questions. 

 The program offers grants ranging from $5,000-$25,000, in addition to offering a deferral of sales and use or withholding taxes due and waiver of penalty and interest to eligible businesses. To be eligible, businesses must have employed between 2-25 people prior to March 17, 2020 and be experiencing disruptions due to COVID-19. The state recommends having all necessary information collected before beginning the application process. Necessary information includes:

• 3-month income statement

* Standard business ownership information, including primary address, contact information, FEIN, withholding permit number,  sales tax permit number, etc. as applicable.

• Revenues – March 2019

• Revenues – March 2020 to date

• Balance Sheet (as of application date)

• Payroll prior to March 17, 2020

• Completed Business W-9 form

• Additional fields may include:

◦ Date of business establishment

◦ Description of Economic Impact Loss (loss of sales or revenue)

◦ Number of employees on March 1

◦ Number of employees working remotely as a result of the disaster

◦ Estimated loss of revenues March 15, 2020 – April 15, 2020

◦ Description of how funds will be utilized to maintain operations or reopen after the disaster

Learn more and apply here: https://www.iowaeconomicdevelopment.com/reliefgrants

Small Business Loans:

· Governor Reynolds has announced the creation of The Iowa Small Business Relief Fund. This provides grants from $5,000-$25,000 for small business having between 2 and 25 employees. The application is available at: https://www.iowaeconomicdevelopment.com/our-agency-det…/6710. The application is currently available through March 31.

· Governor Reynolds announced that the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has issued a disaster declaration for the state of Iowa as of January 31, 2020 and continuing. The declaration allows pandemic-impacted small businesses to apply for low-interest support loans. The declaration comes after Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds submitted a federal funding request via the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program.

RE: Decorah Public Library expanding online materials, programming access

Decorah Public Library closed to the public on Monday March 16; however, since that time Library staff have been hard at work trying to meet the needs of the community in other ways.

Library Director Kristin Torresdal said “In the past two weeks, we have significantly expanded our e-book and digital audiobook offerings, pivoted to the creation of online content and programming, and spent a lot of time researching and discussing additional ways to serve our patrons.”

The Library will soon be announcing additional online content availability, and as of this week is implementing a regular schedule of online program offerings for children and families (available on Facebook or the library website). Patrons can access resources by signing up for a library card online or by emailing staff at dpl@decorah.lib.ia.us to retrieve their card number.

“We are aware that the public would really like us to offer curbside pickup of materials- and we wish that it was safe to do so- but experts in the library field are advising against curbside pickup and delivery right now. There are simply too many unknowns about the risk of contaminated materials, such as library books- both as they go into homes and as they’re returned to the library. If future research indicates that it’s safe for us to resume materials distribution using one of these methods, we will be happy to do so.

Additionally, we want to abide by Public Health guidelines which recommend avoiding all but essential travel and interpersonal contact- and we cannot in good conscience encourage significant numbers of people (staff and the public) to congregate at the library right now,” Torresdal explained.

Visit www.decorah.lib.ia.us to access online materials. Contact Torresdal at ktorresdal@decorah.lib.ia.us with questions.

Gundersen honors doctors with food pantry donations

March 30 is Doctor’s Day. This national day of recognition honors physicians for their ability to comfort and heal through unsurpassed skill and dedication. Few professions in the world require the constant commitment and compassion that is necessary of doctors every workday of their lives.

To recognize the accomplishments of our outstanding clinicians, Gundersen donated to 31 food pantries in locations that serve our regional communities and to the WAFER Food Pantry and The Hunger Task Force in La Crosse for a total donation of $19,500.

Whether you regularly visit or work in a doctor’s office, mark your calendar for March 30 and take time to express thanks and appreciation for all that doctors do!

To honor our physicians, donations were recently made to the following area food pantries:

• Arcadia CommUNITY Food Pantry, Arcadia, Wis.
• Friends Sharing Food, Black River Falls, Wis.
• Blair Food Pantry, Blair, Wis.
• Southwest CAP, Boscobel, Wis.
• Cashton Cupboard and Closet, Inc., Cashton, Wis.
• First Lutheran Church Food Pantry, Decorah, Iowa
• Elroy Food Pantry, Elroy, Wis.
• Adams Food Pantry, Friendship, Wis.
• Grand Marsh School Pantry, Grand Marsh, Wis.
• Emergency Food Shelf, Preston, Minn.
• Fayette County Food Shelf, Fayette, Iowa
• The Good Samaritan Food Pantry, Hillsboro, Wis.
• Houston Food Shelf, Houston, Minn.
• Caledonia Food Shelf, Caledonia, Minn.
• Independence Food Pantry, Independence, Wis.
• La Crescent Food Shelf Program, La Crescent, Minn.
• Lansing Iowa Food Trust LIFT, Lansing, Iowa
• Care and Share Food Bank of Marquette County, Montello, Wis.
• Onalaska/Holmen Food Basket, Onalaska, Wis.
• Couleecap Food Pantry, Prairie du Chien, Wis.
• Couleecap Food Pantry, Sparta, Wis.
• Trempealeau County Community Cupboard, Strum, Wis.
• Neighbor for Neighbor, Inc., Tomah, Wis.
• Living Faith Food Pantry, Viroqua, Wis.
• Northeast Iowa Food Bank, Waterloo, Iowa
• Allamakee County Food Shelf, Waukon, Iowa
• Pioneer Pantry, Westfield, Wis.
• Open Hands Food Pantry, West Union, Iowa
• Whitehall Food Pantry, Whitehall, Wis.
• Winona Volunteer Services, Winona, Minn.
• Union Center Food Pantry, Wonewoc, Wis.

COVID-19: Protect Yourself

By Dr. Michele Dikkers, Clayton County Board of Health Chairperson

Coronavirus, Sars-CoV-2 or Covid-19, words, that at Thanksgiving, were unfamiliar and nonexistent. Now, they are part of our daily conversation, seeped deeply into every part of our day.

Now that we recognize the name, now that it is in our state and our county, what can we do about it?

WE NEED TO TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY.

Our best protection is not to get it. This is why it is so important to avoid contact with people outside your own home. If you must go out, practice social distancing and stay at least 6 feet away from other people.

The best ways to prevent infection and spread of respiratory diseases, like COVID-19, include:

• Staying home if you are sick
• Avoiding close contact with people who are sick
• Covering your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze
• Thoroughly washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
• If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
• Avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth
• Disinfecting surfaces and objects using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe
• If you begin to experience symptoms and have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19, call your primary care provider before coming in. Symptoms to look for are: chills, fever, cough, runny nose, body aches, chest pain and shortness of breath.
• 2-1-1 is a phone line available across Iowa to assist with general questions on COVID-19.

If you develop trouble breathing, high fevers, chest pain, confusion, lethargy, blue lips or face you should seek immediate medical attention. Call 911 or go to the Emergency Department immediately.

Be well and take care of each other. Follow the recommendations of the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention), the guidance of the state of Iowa, continue social distancing and stay local.

Most up-to-date information and recommendations on COVID-19 can be found by visiting:

• Iowa Department of Public Health webpage at https://idph.iowa.gov/Emerging-Health-Issues/Novel-Coronavirus
• Center for Disease Control and Prevention webpage at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

The monthly Waukon Community Meal will be served today from 5 to 7 p.m. The free sack lunches will be distributed by drive-through service at City Park in Waukon. Drivers are asked to enter the park off Rossville Road and proceed around the park’s circle drive. The lunch sacks will be handed out at the end of the circle drive near the Sweeney Pavilion. For your safety, please remain in your vehicle at all times. There is a limit of six lunches per vehicle. The sack lunches include a ham and cheese sandwich, a piece of fruit, a bag of vegetable relishes, and bottled water.

Dear 4-H and FFA Families,

On March 26, the Iowa State 4-H office canceled all sheep and goat weigh-ins. The weigh-in scheduled for May 2 is now canceled. We take serving Iowans seriously, and we are prioritizing the health and safety of our community and staff.

We will still have a market lamb and goat show, but there will be no rate of gain contest. All market lambs and goats will be ear tagged by exhibitors. There will be no charge for tags this year.

An exhibitor letter with tagging instructions will be sent in the next two weeks. Please wait for this letter with instructions on how to ID your animals. In the meantime, be sure you are enrolled in 4HOnline and have the sheep and/or meat goat project area selected. FFA members, be sure you are in good standing with your chapter.

If you are exhibiting 4-H sheep/goats at the Iowa State Fair, please contact Angie at aksperf@iastate.edu to arrange retinal imaging.

If you are exhibting State Fair FFA sheep/goats, please contact your advisor.

Throughout this process, we are here to help. Our office is closed to walk-ins, but we are staffing the phones from 8:00 AM- 4:30 PM, Mon-Fri, 563-382-2949 or you can reach Angie by email at aksperf@iastate.edu. We appreciate your understanding and willingness to overcome this bump in the road.

Guidance for Iowans to sew homemade masks
for healthcare providers
March 28, 2020
There is a national shortage of commercially-produced PPE including face masks, and public and private
officials are working to address national and global supply challenges. Due to the current limitations on
supplies of face masks, there may come a time during this response when commercially manufactured masks
are no longer readily available. Iowans who would like to support healthcare providers can use this guidance
document to construct homemade cloth masks that can be worn by Iowa healthcare providers during patient
care.
Iowans who would like to donate homemade masks need to call their local hospital, medical clinics, or longterm care facility prior to making a donation. The facility will provide guidance on where to drop off donations
outside of the health care facility.
Please construct masks as requested by the health care facility where you plan to donate. If the health care
facility does not have a specific plan, please construct masks using the following specifications:
• 100% cotton fabric, tightly woven, minimum of 160 thread count per square inch
• Ties and tape – 100% cotton – white or natural color – minimum ¼ inch thick
• Nose piece – minimum 4 inches long – plastic coated wire twist ties
• Mask size when complete – 7 inches wide by 3.75 inches long
• 3 pleats per mask facing upward (from outside view)
• The mask should have two layers of fabric
There are many different patterns available on the internet, please choose one that meets the specifications
above or one that meets the requirements provided by the facility where you are making a donation.

Disinfecting Your Facility if Someone is Sick

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/disinfecting-building-facility.html

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Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection Recommendations for Non-Healthcare Facilities and Not for Homes

Interim Recommendations for US Community Facilities with Suspected/Confirmed Coronavirus Disease 2019

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/cleaning-disinfection.html

Purpose of this guidance

This guidance provides recommendations on the cleaning and disinfection of rooms or areas of those with suspected or with confirmed COVID-19 have visited. It is aimed at limiting the survival of novel coronavirus in key environments. These recommendations will be updated if additional information becomes available.

These guidelines are focused on community, non-healthcare facilities (e.g., schools, institutions of higher education, offices, daycare centers, businesses, community centers) that do and do not house persons overnight. These guidelines are not meant  for cleaning staff in healthcare facilities or repatriation sites, households, or for others for whom specific guidance already exists.

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Clean & Disinfect of Households

Interim Recommendations for US Households with Suspected/Confirmed Coronavirus Disease 2019

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/cleaning-disinfection.html

Corey P Snitker

Emergency Management Coordinator

Allamakee County Iowa

877 HWY 9

Waukon, IA 52172

Cell: 563-568-1911

Office: 563-568-4233

csnitker@co.allamakee.ia.us