Two more new cases in Howard
Sat, 04/25/2020 - 8:34pm
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—Howard County up to six cases of COVID-19, three recovered
By:
Marcie Klomp
CRESCO - Robin Schluter announced during the Regional Health Services of Howard County COVID-19 (coronavirus)
Community Partnership tele-call on Friday, April 24 that two new positive cases of COVID-19 were detected in Howard
County.
In the past day-and-a-half, 55 tests were taken in the county. Besides the two residents in Howard to test positive, two in
Fayette and six in Allamakee tested positive, while 38 were negative. There were still seven cases pending. The individuals
in the other counties are being contacted by their own Public Health Department.
This brings the number of positive tests in Howard to six, with three of those already recovered.
Schluter mentioned Gov. Kim Reynolds announced on Friday there were 521 new cases in Iowa with 11 deaths.
She added, “Other than working these cases, we continue to move forward. The governor opened up elective surgeries
(starting on Monday, April 27). Many folks have been waiting, and their surgeries did not impact their daily activities or
lifestyles. We will screen everyone prior to surgery.”
Outdoor farmers markets were also to be opened on April 27 for food products.
It was also mentioned Region 6, of which Howard County is part of has went from Level 10 to Level 9.
“The community has been wonderful to us by bringing us food and snacks. We learned there is a need at the Howard
County Food Pantry, so our Denim Day donation will go to the food pantry.”
• Audrey Nosbisch of Public Health said everyone should be wearing masks in public, including business employees and
customers. They have reached out to some local corporate offices urging them to require employees to wear masks.
• Accura HealthCare Administrator Sandy Chilson said, “We are just keeping on keeping on.” The facility completed a DIA
remote survey and are continuing frequent assessments of patients and staff.
Chilson continued that tele-medicine consultations is going okay, but it is a learning curve, especially for residents some of
whom have difficulty hearing.
Evans Memorial Home has also had the survey.
• Jessica Reis noted all college students, including those attending Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) can apply for
a grant if they have a COVID-19 hardship. The grants are available through the most recent CARES Act.
• Howard County Emergency Management Coordinator Darrell Knecht said he had received some PPE (Personal Protective
Equipment) and delivers. In addition, a large tote of hand sanitizer had been delivered by Homeland Energy Solutions. It is
located at the Sheriff’s office in Cresco. “Bring your own jar. It is watery,” he noted.
• Donna Thomas of Cresco Bank & Trust is starting to look at how the bank will ease into being open.
Schluter explained a group from the hospital is also working on steps to follow when phasing into opening. “We can share
those ideas with everyone.”
• Cresco City Council approved paying for masks to be given to all the businesses.
When Jason Passmore of Howard County Business & Tourism hands out the masks, Schluter thought an educational paper
on how to use them can be given to the business as well. Instructions on using gloves will also be included.
Passmore said more funding opened up for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).
• The hospital/clinic was informed someone was using its phone number to try to scam some locals. Schluter said if it
sounds weird, get a name and hang up. Call the hospital or clinic to see if it was legitimate.
