COVID-19 — Behind the scenes
Sun, 03/29/2020 - 6:33pm
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—Part 4
CRESCO - The Regional Health Services of Howard County COVID-19 (coronavirus) Community Partnership met through a
tele-call on Friday, March 27.
This helps keep healthcare workers, community leaders, city officials and others aware of what everyone else is going
through. RHSHC CEO Robin Schluter conducted the meeting.
She and Diane Trende updated the group on coronavirus saying Minnesota had a total of 398 cases of COVID-19 with four
deaths. Iowa had 235 cases, two in Winneshiek County, with three deaths in the state. There are no positive cases in
Howard County.
“Incident Command is tracking the positive cases in relation to Howard County,” noted Schluter.
RHSHC is encouraging patients to call into the clinic or hospital before coming in. The health problem can be assessed and
possibly turned over to tele-health services.
“The respiratory Clinic is open, keeping potentially positive folks out of the Clinic,” Schluter. “We’ve been preparing for a
patient surge. We have been told the peak will probably be mid-April for the nation, with us being 2-3 weeks behind.”
The Foundation Board is recognizing individuals and groups who have been particularly helpful during this time. Schluter
mentioned Cresco Bank & Trust’s donation which has enabled the hospital to purchase a transport ventilator for the
ambulance.
• Darrell Knecht, Emergency Management Coordinator for Howard County told the group he is keeping track of volunteers
and jobs they can be doing during this pandemic. “It’s a volunteer pool for whoever needs it. Let me know.” The information
will be distributed in his next newsletter.
He said he is still working on getting needed resources, such as PPE (personal protective equipment). “The counties with
the most cases have priority to get them first,” he explained.
• Audrey Nosbisch of the Department of Public Health said, “Some businesses are shifting staff around. The best practice is
to just keep workers away. If you have eight staff members, have four stay home for two weeks and then have them come
in and let the other four stay home.”
• Country Winds Manor noted they have been receiving fabric masks that staff is using. The staff is masking all the time at
the facility. the masks make an extra barrier.
• Evans Memorial Home also mentioned, the facility has received masks as well, but are not using them yet.
• Renée Cuvelier, principal at Notre Dame Catholic School, mentioned the staff at the school, as well as Howard-Winneshiek,
were set to have a car parade around Cresco, Lime Springs, Elma and Ridgeway on Monday, March 30. Cuvelier stated,
“We will have about 60 cars, give or take. The whole idea is to provide continuity for the students. We want to show them
we are still here, and we miss them.”
Randy Greenfield of Notre Dame added Santa and Mrs. Claus will bring up the end of the parade.
• Kyle Teeling, vice president of Ancillary Services, asked about plastic face shields and if the school or NICC would have a
3-D printer. Jason Passmore of Howard County Business & Tourism will work with Teeling, NICC, H-W and Upper Iowa Tool
& Die.
• Chuck Reicks of the Cresco Community Fire Department said LifeServe is looking at June 16 to have a blood drive.
Schluter said the company may move that date up as COVID-19 spreads.
• Donna Thomas of Cresco Bank & Trust said customers are learning more about how to do their banking electronically. Her
bankers are also learning about the Small Business Association’s loans to answer questions for customers.
• CUSB Bank is doing the same.
• Ronda Hughes, Chair of Howard County Community Foundation, noted a disaster recovery fund has been set up for those
needing food, gas, rent assistance or daycare help can get relief. Those wishing to donate to the fund can go to
https://www.cfneia.org/affiliates/howard-county for more information.
The committee will continue to meet until Howard County has met and got over the threat of COVID-19.
