COVID-19 updates

DES MOINES — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds announced an update to the Group 1B eligibility groups for the COVID-19 vaccination during her Thursday press conference. While the recommendation from the Iowa Infectious Disease Advisory Council for Group 1B listed the age group of those 75 and older as eligible to receive the vaccine, Reynolds updated that tier to make more older adults eligible...

LE MARS — Plans for the next phase of the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine are being put into place by Floyd Valley Healthcare under guidance from the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH). Phase 1B is set to begin Feb. 1 with a broader reach of those who will qualify for receiving the vaccine...

DES MOINES — On Dec. 27, 2020, President Trump signed into law the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) of 2021, reauthorizing and extending the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program, the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) program, and the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) program. ...

Carol Ehlers Human Sciences Specialist, Family Finance AMES — Research conducted by the National Endowment for Financial Education in April and September found that over 80 percent of Americans reported feeling financial stress. Top financial stressors included amount of emergency savings, job security, retirement savings, income fluctuations and paying different types of household bills...

DES MOINES — On Tuesday, Jan. 12, the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) is sharing the following guidelines for COVID-19 vaccine priority populations for Phase 1B, based on the recommendations put forward by the Iowa Disease Advisory Council (IDAC) and accepted by Kelly Garcia, IDPH interim Director...

LE MARS — Le Mars Community School District Superintendent Dr. Steve Webner released the following information Friday morning in response to the Jan. 7 update by Gov. Kim Reynolds of the COVID-19 Disaster Proclamation. Within this proclamation it is stated that Iowans should consider avoiding events that could be considered high risk, such as spectator sports, etc. Also, the restriction of two spectators per participant has been lifted...

DES MOINES — On Thursday, Jan. 7, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed a new Public Health Disaster proclamation that modifies existing public health measures designed to reduce the spread of COVID-19.  The proclamation continues to require that when people are in an indoor public space, and unable to social distance for 15 minutes or longer, masks are required to be worn.  ...

PLYMOUTH CO. — The Plymouth County Fair has received money through the COVID-19 County Fairs Relief Program. The program was launched in late October to provide short-term relief to eligible county and district fairs for the purpose of continuing or resuming operations in the context of the public health emergency, according to information from the governor’s office...

Editor’s Note: Day in and day out, being a first responder is one of the most heroic tasks anyone can bear. The load they are asked to carry on their shoulders, in their thoughts, and in their hearts, takes someone very special. In a “typical” year, they give so much of themselves for others. ...

SIOUX CITY — Archbishop Michael Jackels of the Archdiocese of Dubuque, Bishop Thomas Zinkula of the Diocese of Davenport, Bishop Walker Nickless of the Diocese of Sioux City and Bishop William Joensen of the Diocese of Des Moines have issued a statement on the COVID-19 vaccines which will be available in the near future. It reads:...

LE MARS — Floyd Valley Healthcare expects to receive the planned allotment of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. As directed by the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH), we anticipate moving from Tier 1A Frontline Healthcare workers caring for COVID patients to Tier 1A Frontline Workers in other healthcare settings in early January...

LE MARS — Floyd Valley Healthcare has a new weapon in its fight against the coronavirus and other potential bugs as they have introduced Skytron’s UVC disinfection devices to their cleaning regimen. Gina Vacura, operating room manager at Floyd Valley, explained why the hospital acquired the one double unit and one single unit of the devices...

Editor’s Note: What can I say, 2020 has been a year of unprecedented chaos. In a business where one hopes you are able to cover more stories that lift people up than bring people down, this year has proven to be a real challenge. However, through it all one thing has remained consistent, news is ever changing and we have been there every step of the way. ...

LE MARS — Dr. Donald Odens, Floyd Valley Healthcare Medical Staff President received the first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at Floyd Valley Healthcare on Wednesday. The vaccine was administered by Tara Geddes, Floyd Valley Community Health Manager...

LE MARS — Floyd Valley Healthcare is once again seeking the public’s help in making homemade masks for PPE. It was back in March when the pandemic began that FVH first asked for help in creating pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE). However, because of the long-term duration of the pandemic, the healthcare system could use another batch according to FVH Community Relations Manager Ann Cole-Nelson...

LE MARS — The toll of COVID-19 has been far-reaching, affecting nearly every aspect of our daily lives. Now in the ninth month of dealing with the pandemic, most are weary from the topic and wishing to get back to normal. While the pandemic has affected everyone, those in the health care field have seen some of the worst of it as they experience first-hand the debilitating and sometimes deadly effects of the virus...

DES MOINES — Governor Kim Reynolds signed a proclamation extending public health measures in place on Wednesday. The proclamation will continue to require individuals to wear masks indoors, which will last through Jan. 8. It will also limit indoor gatherings to 15 people and outdoor gatherings to 30 people. This will last through Dec. 16...

LE MARS — Out of the many vaccines which have been developed and are currently being tested, two are currently near the front of the line for upcoming distribution. Pfizer submitted an emergency use authorization request to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Nov. 20 for its vaccine while Moderna followed suit on Nov. 30...

LE MARS — Beginning Wednesday, Dec. 9, Floyd Valley Healthcare will be offering the Binax Now COVID Antigen Testing for Plymouth County. Testing will occur weekdays from 1-1:30 p.m. and 2-2:30 p.m. at the North Entrance of Floyd Valley Healthcare. Appointments can be made by calling (712) 546-3618 (no walk-ins will be permitted)...