Health

The COVID-19 virus is still on the move through unvaccinated individuals in the county, but those who are vaccinated can continue normal lifestyles without wearing masks, according to health officials offering guidance on the matter.

In May, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) declared that anyone vaccinated for COVID-19 can gather indoors without masks with others who are fully vaccinated, and limit social distancing, and that still remains true. For those not yet vaccinated, Allamakee County Public Health does have a good supply of vaccine and is highly encouraging everyone to receive it.

Vaccine clinics are readily available every Friday afternoon for both prime and boost doses for Moderna. Currently, Johnson and Johnson one-dose vaccine is also available. These are held at the main entrance to Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. Call 563-568-5660 to schedule.

The Test Iowa location in Decorah, facilitated by Winneshiek Medical Center, will close Thursday, July 15.  This closure aligns with the State of Iowa’s announcement that it is discontinuing the service.

Last fall, Test Iowa, a statewide initiative to expand the availability of COVID-19 testing, collaborated with Winneshiek Medical Center to open a testing site for northeast Iowa. The site opened October 12, 2020. Since the onset of the local service, Test Iowa, staffed by Winneshiek Medical Center employees, has provided 6,272 COVID-19 tests to people of the region.

“Welcome to Medicare” is a free, two-hour seminar offered by the Veterans Memorial Hospital Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) counselors.  This program will be held Monday, July 12 from 5-7 p.m. in the Large Conference Room located on the lower level of Veterans Memorial Hospital.

“Welcome to Medicare” will cover Medicare Part A and Part B benefits, the prescription drug benefit (Part D), Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare supplement insurance. SHIIP, the Senior Health Insurance Information Program, is a service of the State of Iowa. Local SHIIP counselor Russ Hagen is trained by the State and does not sell or promote any insurance companies, policies or agents. Veterans Memorial Hospital is a local sponsor for SHIIP in Allamakee County.

Not many know that one pint of whole blood can save up to three lives. The next local LifeServe Blood Center blood drive will be held Thursday, July 8 from 12-5 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in south Waukon.   Blood drives are held every month in Waukon, allowing for more donors to give.  LifeServe Blood Center supplies Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon with its blood and blood products.

Anyone who lives to the age of 72 will have a 95% probability of needing blood or blood products at sometime in their life, so blood donors are greatly needed.

The Veterans Memorial Hospital Respiratory Therapy Department was recently informed that Philips Respironics has issued a recall on their CPAP, BIPAP and ASV machines.

Patients who are currently using a CPAP, BIPAP or ASV machine are asked to call 1-877-907-7508 to check the status of their device or visit www.philips.com/src-update for more information on the recall.

For further assistance, feel free to call the hospital at 563-568-3411 and ask for the Respiratory Therapy Department.
 

Memorials were recently received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory Walter “Wally” Johnson by Marvin and Marjorie Strike, Chuck and Lois Votsmier, and George Pickett; in memory of Marilyn Moose by Jane Dietrich; in memory of Ronald Goeke by Jane Dietrich; in memory of Larry White by Jim and Jill Kiesau; in memory of Delores “Jean” Kroack by Jane Dietrich; in memory of Abby Balque by Dr. Bill Withers; in memory of Lois Beneke by Jane Dietrich; and in memory of Elizabeth Ellickson by Eric and Stephanie Palmer.

Memorials were also received in memory of Sharon “Deal” Henschel by Dennis and Sandy Deal, Greg and Jan Gordon and Todd and Dawn Mulbauer, and in memory of Edward Lauerman by Audrey Angel, Ann Rademaker and Jane Dietrich.

For those not yet vaccinated, Allamakee County Public Health does have a good supply of vaccine and is highly encouraging everyone to receive it. Vaccine clinics are readily available every Friday afternoon for both prime and boost doses for Moderna. Currently, Johnson and Johnson one-dose vaccine is also available. These clinics are held at the main entrance to Veterans Memorial Hospital. Call 563-568-5660 to schedule an appointment.

The risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19 far outweighs any benefits of natural immunity. The COVID-19 vaccine, which is readily available locally, creates an antibody (immune system) response without having to experience sickness.

Another generous donation to the new Veterans Memorial Hospital Medical Clinic was recently received by Norplex-Micarta of Postville. Pictured at right, left to right, are employees of Norplex-Micarta including Wilbeth Thomas, Erin Schultz, Scott Hagen (Director of Operations), Doreen Doerring and Teresa Loftsgard.

Appointments are now being scheduled by calling the new clinic phone number of 563-568-5530. Donations are still being accepted by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation. All gifts to the Foundation are tax deductible.

The Veterans Memorial Hospital Medical Clinic has been open since May 3. The total raised to date for the clinic renovation project is very near $500,000, with a goal of a total of $600,000. Donations are still being accepted by the Veterans Memorial Hospital Health Care Foundation and are tax deductible.

by the Iowa Department of Public Health and Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care

The summer cookout season is officially underway in Iowa. Along with it comes the danger of under-cooked meat or meat that has been improperly prepared and the illnesses it can bring. Each year, many get sick either directly of indirectly from food items that haven’t been properly prepared. One of the major dangers when meat is improperly prepared is E. coli 0157. Iowa State Epidemiologist Dr. Patricia Quinlisk said there is one simple rule that can cut down on the number of E. coli 0157 illnesses. “Cook all ground meat patties and poultry until the center is gray or brown. All juices running from the meat should be clear, with no trace of pink or cloudiness.”

Veterans Memorial Hospital hosted its biennial Safety Day Camp Thursday, June 10, drawing a record crowd of 151 children ages seven to 14. The children were divided into 10 different groups and spent 20 minutes at each of the 10 safety stations throughout the day.

The campers each assembled their own first aid kits at the camp, receiving instruction on how to manage a bleed, perform CPR, as well as caring for other types of injuries. In addition, each camper was sent home with a goodie bag following the event, filled with additional safety and first aid supplies for the home, such as safety goggles, ace wraps, tourniquets, ear plugs, sun block and insect repellent.  Most all of these items were provided by grant dollars awarded to the Iowa State University (ISU) Allamakee County Extension Office from Iowa’s Center for Agricultural Safety and Health (I-CASH).