Ophthalmology Clinic & Surgery

March Specialty Clinic

IDA County Prepares for COVID-19

Ida County is advising residents about what they can do now to prepare for the potential spread of the novel coronavirus known as COVID-19. To date, no one in Iowa has tested positive for COVID-19.

Since the start of this outbreak, Horn Memorial Hospital and Ida County Public Health have worked closely with the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) to monitor potential cases of COVID-19.

We have and will continue to work with our local, state and national partners to be ready in case the virus does come to Iowa.

There are things all Ida County residents can do to help prevent the spread of all viruses, including influenza and COVID-19:

·         Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your upper arm/elbow

·         Clean your hands frequently with soap and water

·         Contain germs by staying home when ill

Residents should prepare for the potential of COVID-19 in the same way they prepare for severe weather or other events that could disrupt their normal routine. This includes making a plan and discussing it with your family. What would you do if you could not go to work or school because of illness? What if your day care provider was ill? How would you get groceries if you were ill? These are all questions to consider.

Symptoms of the COVID-19 in people who have been exposed can include fever, cough and shortness of breath. The symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as long as 14 days after exposure.

For information and updates related to COVID-19, visit https://idph.iowa.gov/Emerging-Health-Issues/Novel-Coronavirus and follow IDPH on Facebook (@IowaDepartmentofPublicHealth) and Twitter (@IAPublicHealth.

HMH Offers Education on Human Trafficking

Horn Memorial Hospital is offering a free educational session to the community on the topic of human trafficking.  Join us on Tuesday, March 3 in the hospital conference center for a one-hour presentation to learn what human trafficking is, how it happens, what to look for, and how we can help protect each other. Presenter, Sister Shirley Fineran, Founder of the Lila Mae House in Sioux City, will be the presenter.  There are four presentation times to choose from:  8:00 a.m., 12:00 noon, 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.  We hope you can join us – knowledge is power and this does happen right here in our community!

It’s Not Too Late to Protect You and Your Family From the Flu

Surveillance by the Iowa Department of Public Health and Ida County Public Health, and testing by the State Hygienic Laboratory indicate flu activity continues to be widespread in Iowa. The flu season typically peaks in February and can last as late as May. “As long as flu viruses are circulating, it’s not too late to get the vaccine,” said Ida County Public Health Coordinator, Rebecca Burns.

There has been much focus on the novel coronavirus first detected in China and while public health officials take the novel coronavirus outbreak seriously, the risk of influenza is much more significant to Ida County residents. It’s not too late to receive the flu vaccine and in order to prevent flu and other viruses from spreading, remember the three Cs:

·         Clean your hands frequently with soap and water.

·         Cover coughs and sneezes with your elbow or upper arm.

·         Contain germs by staying home when ill.

For more information about the novel coronavirus, visit https://idph.iowa.gov/Emerging-Health-Issues/Novel-Coronavirus and to learn more about the flu, see https://idph.iowa.gov/influenza.

Learn more about the needs in Foster Care- Join Us!

Learn More About Foster Care

Each year, hundreds of Iowa children are in need of a foster family, but there are not enough foster homes in western Iowa to immediately provide them with a safe, loving home environment.

When children are placed in foster care, their whole world is turned upside down. They are forced to say goodbye to their family, their friends, and their school. If there is no foster home immediately available, the instability continues and they must live in a shelter until a home is found for them.

Children may enter foster care for different reasons, but each child has experienced the trauma of being removed from their home. Kids in foster care are just like any other kid. They come from all cultures and ethnicities; they can be toddlers or teenagers; they can be an only child or part of a sibling group. To help them cope during this difficult time, Iowa foster families must do everything they can to maintain a sense of normalcy. That means helping children stay connected to their friends, churches, schools, and activities. It means becoming educated about their culture and learning about their favorite foods, music, or traditions. 

Iowa needs a wide range of families in every western Iowa county. Foster parents must be at least 21 years old, but they can be single, cohabitating, married, living in multi-generational family homes, and homes with or without biological children. They can be employed or stay-at-home parents. They can be homeowners, renters, and pet owners. Foster parents are individuals of all cultures and ethnicities, all walks of life, and all sexual orientations.

Foster parents are tasked with remembering the primary goal of foster care is reunification. The best thing for a child is to be reunited with their family of origin, but only when it is safe to do so. Foster parents provide care and love to a child while their parents get the support and resources they need to safely welcome their child back to a happier, healthier home.

If your family is interested in fostering, LSI Foster Care and Adoption is offering an orientation for families to learn more about foster parenting options. This orientation will be held on Tuesday, February 18, at 6 p.m. in the Horn Memorial Hospital Conference Center. If you have any questions, please contact fosteradopt@LSIowa.org.