Positive cases on the rise

HOWARD COUNTY - It was announced on Monday there are five confirmed positive COVID-19 cases between two of the long-term care facilities in Cresco.

Administrator Sandy Chilson said, “Accura HealthCare of Cresco has had one employee test positive, and that employee is currently quarantined at home.”

In a press release from Evans Memorial Home it was announced the facility has four cases. An outbreak at a long-term care facility is defined as three positives. Due to privacy, the facility cannot break the cases down further (employee or resident).

Administrator Amy Murphy stated, “We are in very close communication with local and state health officials to ensure we are taking the appropriate steps at this time. Our staff and residents are following the recommended preventative actions — we have restricted visitors from entering our facility and cancelled all group activities within the building.

“Resident safety is a top priority for Evans Memorial Home. This virus is especially dangerous to our population — older adults with underlying health conditions — so, this is a critical issue that requires our immediate attention.”

The facility is cooperating and staying in close contact with local and state health departments to stay up-to-date on the information to prevent and manage the spread of coronavirus. 

Evans has reviewed and updated its infection prevention and control plans and the emergency communication plan. 

They continue to follow general public health best practices — handwashing, using alcohol-based hand sanitizers and covering coughs. 

Administration has reinforced to staff that anyone who is sick should stay home and are screening all essential personnel as they enter and leave the building. Staff are wearing appropriate PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) and residents have been offered cloth face masks.

Murphy added, “We will continue to keep family members up-to-date, so they have the latest information about their loved ones. We are restricting all non-essential personnel, per direction from the local health department (as well as the federal/state government).”

Family members can interact with their loved ones by using video chat, calling, texting or checking in on social media. 

 

Howard County numbers

The number of positive cases in Howard County is now 34, with 774 individuals being tested and 740 negatives. Thirteen have recovered.

On May 2, two new cases were announced in Howard County. For six-and-one-half weeks, there were no new cases, until June 19 when one individual tested positive. Numbers continued to increase since then — June 21, one; June 25, three; June 28, three; June 30, two; July 1, four; July 2, one; July 3, four; July 4, three; and July 5, zero. That is a total of 22 in just 15 days.

It might sound like a broken record, but there is a way to slow the spread of the disease — practice social distancing, wear a mask in public, practice hand hygiene and stay home and self isolate if feeling ill.

Howard County Public Health Director Audrey Nosbisch said, “The numbers are coming from opening up and concern for lack of personal responsibility.”

 

Adjoining Counties

It’s not just Howard County that has seen an increase in positive cases. As of 8 a.m. on July 7, Mitchell County has 39 positive with 20 recovered;  Chickasaw has 29 with 24 recovered; and Winneshiek has 39 with 24 recovered.