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Public Health officials warn that community spread continues, mitigation measures need to be followed

The number of confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 infection in Allamakee County for the past week’s timeframe showed a bit of a decrease from the same timeframe a week prior, down to 27 new cases reported from Tuesday, April 28 through Monday, May 4 following a high of 32 cases reported the week prior. That decrease comes in spite of the county reporting its highest single-day total of new positive cases since the pandemic began, that single-day high of 14 new cases in Allamakee County being reported Tuesday, April 28 but ultimately being the product of some correcting of reported numbers in the northeast Iowa area from the week prior.

Community members, organizations and businesses challenged to help meet $3500 grant match by ACCF

The Allamakee County Community Foundation (ACCF) and Allamakee County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) are partnering to help reduce COVID-19 community spread. Those agencies are looking for help from the communities they serve in order to make that possible.

The Community Foundation has announced it will match up to $3,500 in donations from individuals, organizations and local businesses toward the purchase of ultraviolet (UV) lights for six ambulances throughout Allamakee County and a larger UV light for use at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. These UV lights (an example of which is pictured in the accompanying photo) can be used for efficient, safe room sanitation in as little as 10 minutes, and can be remotely activated. This greatly shortens sanitation time and allows medical spaces to be occupied much more quickly following patient use.

by Susan Cantine-Maxson

Traveling over 7,000 miles to a foreign land is an adventure not many pursue. Yet, Deepanshu Dabas from Delhi, the capital of India, did just that.

His school in Delhi had hosted many exchange students and he had developed friendships with several of the students, particularly one from Japan. He decided to explore the possibility for himself.

Jack Knight, a resident of Allamakee County living between Waukon and Luana, has announced his candidacy for the Allamakee County Board of Supervisors. One seat on the Allamakee County Board of Supervisors will be up for election in November of this year and both the Democrat and Republican ballots will each have two candidates squaring off in this year’s June 2 primary for the nomination of their respective party to then square off in that November election.

“I consider county government to be non-partisan,” Knight said. “I am running to continue good county government and I am running to fill Dennis Koenig’s representation of the Postville area at that level of government. My primary motivation is to continue my record of public service to Allamakee County.”

Single lane stretches for most of project; Closure with detour from Waukon to Iron Mine Drive begins May 11

A project to resurface and add asphalt shoulders to Iowa Highway 9 between 10th Avenue NW (entrance to Northgate Addition) in Waukon and South Road in Lansing is now underway as of Monday, May 4 and will require lane closures with traffic being directed by a pilot car and flaggers, weather permitting, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation’s (DOT) New Hampton construction office.

Everyone continuing to follow mitigation measures is key to limiting virus spread

Allamakee County one of 22 counties in Iowa still under stricter restrictions until May 15

Reported as of Monday, April 27 by Allamakee County and Iowa Public Health

Total confirmed cases to date: 72
Cases requiring hospitalization: 5 total, 2 currently
Deaths due to COVID-19: 3
Cases recovered/off isolation: 31
Cases currently recovering in self-isolation: 36
Number of tests sent to State Hygienic Lab (SHL)**: 96
Number of negative tests processed at SHL: 67
Number of tests pending at SHL: 5
 

by Brianne Eilers

Foreign exchange student programs offer teenagers across the globe the opportunity to travel to new places, experience new cultures and meet new people. For the 2019-2020 school year, Ibrahim Dabo has taken advantage of that program and traveled to the United States from the Republic of Mali, spending the past nine months as a student at Waukon High School.

The Republic of Mali is located in western Africa and has a population of around 20 million people. The capitol of Mali is Bamako, which is also the country’s largest city and where Ibrahim and his family live. Ibrahim’s older brother was also an exchange student five years ago and traveled to Hawaii.

One big factor in Ibrahim’s decision to be an exchange student was the fact that he has always wanted to visit America and try something different. He and his family also felt that this would be a good way for him to learn to be more responsible.

With the current COVID-19 pandemic impacting nearly all aspects of life, coordinators of the Allamakee County Food Shelf want the public to know that the Food Shelf is still open at its regular Thursday date and time in order to take care of those who may need its services offered.

Knowing the current economic impact the pandemic is having, Food Shelf co-coordinators Julie Rotach and Ann Roed have been a bit surprised that the demand for food has not been higher than what they’ve seen since pandemic restrictions and closures have been put in place. That surprise extends itself even further to the absence of some individuals who have been consistent visitors to the Food Shelf prior to the pandemic but have not been seen as of late.

“We’re not sure if they don’t think we are open because of the current situation, or if they just don’t feel safe in venturing out,” Rotach said. “We want everyone to know that we are still here and available to assist them, if need be.”

Only three polling site locations will be available for Primary Election

For the health of voters, the health of dedicated poll workers, and to help stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus, Allamakee County Auditor Denise Beyer encourages everyone to vote Absentee By Mail for the June 2 Primary election.

How does a person receive an absentee ballot? Most will receive an Absentee Ballot Request form in the mail this week from the Secretary of State. There was also an Absentee Ballot Request form printed in the April 22  of this newspaper. Other ways to receive Absentee Ballot Request forms include visiting www.allamakee.us/auditor2 or calling the Allamakee County Auditor’s office at 563-568-3522. Completed and signed Absentee Ballot Request forms should be mailed to Allamakee County Auditor, 110 Allamakee St, Waukon, IA 52172.