Plymouth County Reports Second COVID-19 Death
(Le Mars) — A second death has been reported in Plymouth County as a result of the COVID-19 virus. Floyd Valley Healthcare officials confirmed the death was an elderly male above the age of 81. The death is one of 522 reported from across the state. The elderly man was not a resident of any long-term care nursing facility. According to local health officials, there still has not been any reports of positive COVID-19 virus within the long-term nursing care facilities in Le Mars. Plymouth County has now reported a total of 127 positive cases with 88 recoveries.
290 More COVID Cases, 20 Deaths in Iowa
(Des Moines, IA) — The Iowa Department of Public Health reported 290 additional COVID-19 cases today, bringing the state total to 18-thousand-792.
Twenty more deaths increases the state death toll to 520. State health officials say 376 Iowans are hospitalized with the virus. More than 10-thousand-500 no longer need isolation or have recovered from the illness.
Governor Reynolds Reacts to Minnesota Protest Over Police Custody Death
(Des Moines, IA) — Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds says the video showing the death of a Minnesota man in police custody is heartbreaking, but destructive protests aren’t the answer. A gathering was held at the Iowa Capitol Friday evening to protest the death of George Floyd. That protest started out peaceful, but later in the evening, it turned violent as protesters destroyed
several store fronts and buildings within the Court Avenue area. The Des Moines Embassy Hotel and the Polk County courthouse were among the buildings that had windows broken by the protesters. Reynolds said, “as Americans, we have a right to peacefully protest and we should, but riots and violence
serve nobody. That doesn’t even do justice to his memory.” Reynolds says her prayers and condolences go out to Floyd’s family and she says justice must be served. The officer who kneeled on Floyd’s neck until he passed out has
been charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter.
Iowa National Guard Soldiers Set to Leave For Deployment
(Johnston, IA) — Hundreds of Iowa National Guard soldiers are leaving for training and then deployments overseas in the next few days. Lieutenant Colonel Michael Wunn says it’s important to have send-off ceremonies for these soldiers even in the midst of a pandemic. He says “It’s kind of a milestone when we send soldiers overseas to do their federal duty and it’s really important that we take time to recognize the service and the sacrifice
that they are making on behalf of all of us.” The public will not be allowed to attend, but ceremonies will be live-streamed on Facebook and, by KLEM radio. There will be a parade through Dubuque Saturday afternoon where people are asked to line the streets and wave American flags. Around 500 soldiers based at an eastern Iowa unit are deploying. About 350 other
soldiers from the 113th Cavalry based here in Le Mars and Johnston are also leaving. The Le Mars deployment ceremony is scheduled for Monday at about 8:45 a.m. The local national guard unit will go down Central Avenue, and people are encouraged to stand along the street and wave the soldiers good-bye. KLEM radio will be broadcasting the deployment ceremony live, and we will feature the ceremony and the parade live via the KLEM Facebook page.
Iowa Economic Development Authority To Offer Financial Assistance To Renters Unable To Make Payments
(Des Moines) — Iowa Economic Development Authority Director Debi Durham spelled out the financial assistance for people who rent, and because of the virus, have struggled to be able to make rental home payments. Durham appeared with Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds during Friday’s daily briefing to
explain the COVID-19 Iowa Eviction and Foreclose Prevention Program.
Durham says to be eligible for the financial assistance, Iowans must be a current renter, or home owner, and has not been able to pay their rent or home mortgage, due to the COVID-19 related loss of income, on, or after March 17th. Durham explained some of the other qualifications to be eligible for
the financial assistance.
Durham instructed qualified Iowans to visit the Iowa Housing Recovery.com website, and complete the application. The Iowa Economic Development Authority Director asks people to complete the application completely and thoroughly.
Durham says applicants will be sent an email message informing them how to track the assistance payment. Durham says payments will be made directly to the landlord, or the mortgage service providers. Durham says the program will continue only until such time when the funds are exhausted. She
suggested people not wait, if they are in need of assistance.
Floyd Valley Healthcare To Again Allow Visitors
(Le Mars, IA) — Beginning on June 1, Floyd Valley Healthcare will be allowing limited visitors in the hospital, surgery center, emergency department and outpatients clinics during regular visitor hours. Visitor restrictions are still in place for patients diagnosed with COVID-19. There will continue to be no visitors at Park Place Estates Assisted Living to protect this very
vulnerable population.
Adequate supply of protective equipment, including masks, is now available so that Floyd Valley Healthcare can begin allowing more visitors. One visitor will be allowed with a clinic or outpatient appointment. One visitor per patient per day will be allowed for the inpatient floor, with the visitor in
OB being a birthing partner. In end-of-life care, the spouse and/or children will be allowed to visit.
Patients and visitors must wear masks within a Floyd Valley Healthcare facility, and will be screened for temperature and symptoms of COVID-19 before entering the building. For those wishing to visit an inpatient, you will need to enter the facility via the East Entrance. Patients and visitors are urged to wear a cloth face mask when arriving to Floyd Valley Healthcare.
If you do not have a mask, one will be provided.
Patients and visitors alike are still asked to observe social distancing of at least 6 feet between people whenever possible, for example, at registration areas and in waiting rooms. It may be necessary for care providers to be closer than 6 feet in order to conduct examinations.
“We thank our patients and their families for their cooperation and patience during the time when we needed to restrict all visitors. We know this was difficult for everyone, but it was necessary in order to protect patients and staff while preserving valuable protective equipment,” said Dustin Wright,
CEO.
“The health and safety of our patients and our employees continues to be our highest priority. We know visitation is very important in the healing and recovery process. Because COVID-19 is still present in our population, we are taking additional measures toward ensuring the safety of our facilities,”
Wright added.
Customers, patients and visitors will see these extra measures of safety:
· Industrial-grade cleaning practices in all Floyd Valley Healthcare
facilities.
· Spacing barriers at registration areas.
· Distance between waiting room chairs.
· Streamlined processes at registration to result in shorter visits to
a facility.
· Face masks worn by staff and other protective equipment as needed.
· Hand sanitizer available in waiting rooms.
For the latest information on testing for COVID-19, please go to
TestIowa.com. General information about Floyd Valley Healthcare services is available at Floyd Valley Healthcare.org.
