Vaccine Quantity Received to Date

 

Ida County Phase 1B Tier 1 Moderna COVID Vaccine Clinics

Ida County will hold Moderna COVID vaccine clinics on Tuesday, February 2, 2021, in Holstein and in Ida Grove.  Since last week, there has been a national push to further expand eligibility of older adults.  In response to this push, Iowa is expanding Phase 1B to include Iowans age 65 and over. 

Appointments WILL NOT be taken for these vaccination clinics.  If you fall within the eligibility to receive a vaccine and would like one, please attend one of the clinics listed below on February 2.  Numbers will be handed out at each clinic to match the amount of vaccine available.  Public Health will continue to schedule and announce vaccination clinics until eligible recipients in this group are vaccinated. 

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2

**Please wear a shirt that makes your shoulder easily accessible.**

Lohff-Schumann Memorial Community Center in Holstein
7:00 – 9:00 a.m.
Eligible recipients include PK-12 educators, Childcare Workers, Child Welfare Social Workers and First Responders. 
Please bring identification showing you are currently employed in this group.  We have a list of Ida County fire fighters.

9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Eligible recipients include individuals 65 years and older. 
Please bring identification with birth date.

St. Paul Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall in Ida Grove
2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Eligible recipients include individuals 65 years and older. 
Please bring identification with birth date.

4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Eligible recipients include PK-12 Educators, Childcare Workers, Child Welfare Social Workers, and First Responders. 
Please bring identification showing you are currently employed in this group.  We have a list of Ida County fire fighters.

 

Routine Checkups are the Best Way 
to Stay on Top of your Health

 

Regular visits with a medical professional are an important part of a healthy lifestyle.  Too often people visit the doctor only when they are ill, as they may not realize just how essential well visits and physical exams are.

Routine checkups are the smartest way for people in all age groups to stay on top of their health, but they can be especially valuable for those age 50 and older. Regular checkups enable physicians to check current health against past visits, ensuring that any anomalies can be investigated and treated efficiently and promptly.  This can make the difference in slowing down the progression of a disease that has already developed or prevent something from becoming a full-fledged issue.

There is no hard and fast rules about how often seniors should visit health care providers.  Those who are in general good health may only require one medical checkup a year.  At this point vital signs will be checked, medications reviewed, and lifestyle topics discussed.  Providers may even recommend or discuss wellness lab tests.  Patients also can bring up any issues they may be experiencing, however insignificant they may seem.  Anything from sleep disturbances to memory loss to unexplained fatigue or pain can be addressed.  Sometimes getting everything out in the open and being reassured that there’s nothing to worry about can be helpful.

Physicians are adept at asking questions to get a sense of how patients are faring in the world.  This may include topics that seemingly have no relevance to health but can be quite important.  A provider may ask about topics such as bathing or dressing.  Questions about social interaction or typical routines can paint a better picture of both physical and mental health.

The recommended frequency of doctor visits may change as health issues arise or if follow-up is need after a treatment plan, test results, or injury.  Some seniors may have to visit a provider once a week or once a month.  Doctors, nurses and therapists will design a regimen based on a patient’s current health needs.

The following are some compelling reasons to be diligent with provider visits.

• Patients will be less likely to forget about important screenings, like mammograms, prostate tests, cholesterol tests, and more.
• Frequently health issues can be silent and not noticed early on by a patient.
• Vaccines can be administered, as even adults need certain immunizations to stay healthy.
• Patients can discuss potential lifestyle changes, like going on a diet or taking up a new fitness regimen.

It is essential to follow through with healthcare provider visits, even if they seem redundant. Physicians may detect issues that warrant close observation.  Patients are urged to have an open dialogue with their doctors so they understand the reason behind health care visits and expectations in the future. 

Patients should take an active role in their health to improve their overall wellness and reduce their risk for illness.  Horn Memorial offers private pay wellness labs the first Tuesday of the month by appointment.  Perhaps it’s time to schedule your wellness labs and then schedule an appointment with your provider to discuss your results.  It is important to be proactive in your health to have the best quality of life.

Ida Grove Bomgaars Gives Back

 

On October 25, 2020, Bomgaars held a night of festive fun and fall shopping just for ladies! This “Ladies Night” is a special event in support of local cancer centers and hospitals to raise awareness of women’s health issues. This year the Ida Grove Bomgaars contributed $807.86 to Horn Memorial in support of women’s health. Overall, the 94 Bomgaars locations contributed $65,861.66 to local cancer centers and women’s health. THANK YOU for supporting Bomgaars and our local healthcare services.

Receiving the contribution in photo from left:  Myra Wessel, Ida Grove Bomgaars Store Manager, and Glen Winekauf, Horn Memorial CEO

COVID-19 Update 1-18-2021

Local public health employees have completed first-dose Moderna vaccination clinics for phase 1A, which included health care workers and residents of long-term care facilities.  Public health clinics for second doses in Phase 1-A will begin on January 26, 2021.

On January 11, 2021 Iowa’s Infectious Disease Advisory Committee (IDAC) released their final recommendation for phase 1B priority populations.  The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) released the Phase 1-B Supplemental Vaccine Shortage Order on Friday, January 15, 2021.  Phase 1-B opens to the following priority populations on February 1, 2021. 

Persons aged 75 years and older, OR the following populations vulnerable to high risk of exposure or severity of illness:

·         Individuals with disabilities living in home settings whom are dependent on attendant care staff, and their attendant care staff, if not otherwise vaccinated under phase 1A.

·         Correctional facility staff and individuals incarcerated, including state and city or county operated facilities.

·         Staff of and individuals living in congregate settings, not covered by the first two bullets, including shelters, sober living homes, behavioral health treatment centers, and detention centers.  College dormitories shall not be included as part of Phase 1B.

·         Frontline essential workers in the food, agriculture, distribution and manufacturing sectors who work in or live in congregate settings that do not allow for social distancing such as workers in a meatpacking or manufacturing production line or migrant workers who live in bunkroom-style housing.

·         PK-12 school staff, early childhood education, and childcare workers.

·         First responders (e.g., firefighters, police officers, and child welfare social workers).

·         Inspectors responsible for health, life and safety, including those in hospital and long-term care settings, child, and food production safety.

·         Government officials, including staff, to ensure continuity of government, engaged in state business at the Iowa Capitol during the legislative session.

IDAC asks that counties dedicate 50 percent of each vaccine allocation shipment to priority age populations (75 and older during Phase 1B).  Allocation of vaccine is based on US Census population data, proportionate to the county.  Counties continue to receive vaccine as they use previous shipments.  Phase 1C will not open until a certain percentage of the current priority population has been vaccinated within the state. 

Information on vaccination clinics will be forthcoming.  Please do not call public health to inquire about clinics.  You are preventing an already busy staff from moving forward with preparations.  Information about clinics will be released on the hospital website, hospital Facebook page, Ida County Courier, Holstein Advance, Reminder, with the assistance of businesses and other media sources.

Mapleton Bomgaars Gives Back

On October 25, 2020, Bomgaars held a night of festive fun and fall shopping just for ladies!  This “Ladies Night” is a special event in support of local cancer centers and hospitals to raise awareness of women’s health issues.  This year the Mapleton Bomgaars contributed $296.81 to Horn Memorial in support of women’s health.  Overall, the 94 Bomgaars locations contributed $65,861.66 to local cancer centers and women’s health.  THANK YOU for supporting Bomgaars and our local healthcare services.

Receiving contribution in photo from left:  Michelle Weber, HPC Clinic Director, Keith, Mapleton Bomgaar’s Store Manager, and Christina Davis, RN, Nurse Supervisor.