Help stop the spread of COVID-19 to save local healthcare facilities from becoming overwhelmed


Veterans Memorial Hospital requests that the community follow Iowa Department of Public Health guidelines ... Staff members at Veterans Memorial Hospital are very busy with COVID-19 patients and taking care of those with other health issues, such as chest pain and other emergencies. Several staff members are pictured above and below with their proper personal protective equipment (PPE) worn with all patients to keep everyone safe. Veterans Memorial Hospital asks the community to follow the Iowa Department of Public Health guidelines to wear a mask anytime they are around others, wash hands very well and very frequently, and be sure to stay home and quarantine whenever they are exposed or suffer from any COVID symptoms. Submitted photos.

Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon continues to offer most all services during the COVID-19 pandemic, but does monitor its available COVID beds daily, reporting availabilities to the State of Iowa. This continuous communication allows all area hospitals to know where beds are open in the case they need to admit a patient at a different hospital.

“We are very busy at the hospital with all types of patients; many are COVID patients. Our team has a COVID Surge Plan that we refer to daily as our patient census goes up and down, so we know what to do if our numbers rise,” states Karen Mathis, RN, Chief Nursing Officer.  “Our staff is working extra hard and many times have to pick up extra shifts to fill in for our colleagues who have been ill with COVID or have to care for their parents or children in quarantine. We ask the community to follow the Iowa Department of Public Health Guidelines to wear a mask anytime they are around others, wash hands very well and very frequently, and be sure to stay home and quarantine whenever they are exposed or suffer from any COVID symptoms. It really does help immensely.”

“Our biggest fear is that we become overrun at any one time. By following these measures, we can spread local cases out over time and not completely stress our capacity,” adds Mathis. “We have been close but have so far been able to manage.  We are getting tired and so greatly appreciate our community support of treats, masks and flowers, etc.”

Veterans Memorial Hospital continues to offer the COVID-line for all phone calls regarding COVID-19. Anyone experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19 or having any questions is asked to call the COVID Line at 563-568-3411, then ask for the COVID Line. The COVID line is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

A registered nurse will answer questions about COVID and if necessary, get the caller scheduled for testing. The COVID line is available only during the hours of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Calls received after these hours will be addressed the next day. Anyone having questions about whether or not their symptoms require an urgent care visit can call the Veterans Memorial Hospital Emergency Department at any time.

The number of positive COVID-19 cases in Allamakee County continues to dramatically rise. This has led to increasing hospitalization numbers with the number of admissions for many hospitals in northeast Iowa being at or nearing capacity.

Lisa Moose, RN, Director of Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care - Allamakee County Public Health asks, “Throughout this holiday season, please consider limiting your gatherings to those only residing in your household. Larger gatherings could have detrimental effects on you and your family and friends. Please make the choice to protect your loved ones now, so that your family is able to enjoy many more holidays to come.”