COVID-19 update for VMH service area
Veterans Memorial Hospital is still experiencing a very limited supply of COVID-19 testing kits and asks that anyone experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms seek one of the following testing options:
• Test Iowa Kits are available free of charge at the main reception desk at Veterans Memorial Hospital. With these kits you collect your saliva and send the test in free of charge via UPS. All instructions are clearly included in the kit with a phone number to call if you have any questions. There is currently just a 24-hour turn-around time for results. The Test Iowa Kits are available at the hospital from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. weekends and holidays.
• Over the counter test kits can be purchased at all local pharmacies. These have immediate, rapid results; however, this is an unverified form of testing and no work excuses can be given based on these results.
The Emergency Room (ER) is always an option for anyone suffering from COVID-19 symptoms who needs to be seen. However, patients cannot just be tested in the ER. They must be experiencing serious symptoms in order to qualify for a test.
Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care Allamakee County Public Health Office is still receiving numerous phone calls requesting a booster, or third dose, of the COVID-19 vaccine. They ask that you hold your phone calls at this time and they will announce when the dose is available and the order in which it will be given.
Since Veterans Memorial Hospital is a health care facility, the CDC does require that masks are still required to be worn by every patient and visitor to the hospital. Masks are extremely effective against the COVID-19 virus and should be worn by everyone not vaccinated at all other locations that are non-health care related.
According to the Iowa Department of Public Health, the best way to protect yourself against COVID-19 is to get vaccinated. The risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19 far outweighs any benefits of natural immunity. COVID-19 can have serious, life threatening complications and there is no way to know how it will affect anyone. The COVID-19 vaccine, which is readily available locally, creates an antibody (immune system) response without having to experience sickness.
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 second doses of the Moderna vaccine. The hospital also has Pfizer vaccine on-hand at this time as well and can vaccinate those age 12 and older. These clinics are held at the main entrance to Veterans Memorial Hospital. Call 563-568-5660 to schedule an appointment.
Both Hartig Drug and Nightingale Pharmacy in Waukon have vaccine available for ages 12 and older. Parental/guardian consent is required. Call ahead to schedule an appointment.
Watch the Veterans Memorial Hospital website at www.veteransmemorialhospital.com and the Veterans Memorial Hospital Facebook page for upcoming clinic details.
