Author: Theresa Rose

Beginning the week of March 23^rd, Henry County Public Health will only offer immunization clinic on Thursdays from 1-4pm.  The change is due to staff duties being shifted because of COVID-19 response. Although Public Health remains open and will continue to offer immunizations one day a week, additional safety measures are also being taken.  Only one family at a time will be allowed in the building so clients will be asked to wait outside in their vehicles. There are instructions posted outside as to the procedure to follow.

“It is important that our residents are able to get their recommended immunizations, but we are taking appropriate measures to ensure both their safety and the safety of our staff,” states Robin Poole, Immunization Coordinator.  The reduced clinic hours and additional safety measures will remain in place until further notice.  Please call Public Health at 319-385-0779 if you have any questions.

For up-to-date information from Iowa Department of Public Health related to COVID-19, visit https://idph.iowa.gov/Emerging-Health-Issues/Novel-Coronavirus. For recent fact sheets, resources, and local organization updates, visit www.HealthyHenryCounty.org/PublicHealth.

To protect our patients, associates and community from potential coronavirus infection, visiting is allowed only in designated areas. No visiting is allowed in these areas:

• Inpatient Services (Medical-Surgical Unit)
• Park Place Elder Living

In other areas, patients are limited to the same visitors for the entire time they are hospitalized. They must stay in the patient’s room or designated visitor area. Visitors must be at least 18 years old (unless they are the parents of a pediatric patient). They must pass a screening before visiting these areas:

• Emergency Department – One adult may be with the patient during treatment.
• End of life when death is imminent – Patients may have two visitors.
• Obstetrics Unit – Only the mother’s designated support person may visit.
• Patients having surgery or procedures – One visitor on the day of surgery or

the procedure only.

• Clinic, Laboratory or Diagnostic Imaging appointments – One person may

accompany the patient.

 

Exceptions – Work with the patient’s health care team

• Patients with disruptive behavior whose family member is key to their care may

have one visitor.

• Patients who have altered mental status or developmental delays who require a

caregiver to help provide safety may have one visitor.

• Elders at Park Place who are in need of a visitor due to significant impact on

emotional well-being and/or end of life must be approved by the Park Place

Administrator.

Screening process

Visitors will be asked screening questions and their temperatures will be taken.

When visitors pass their screening, they will receive a sticker with the day of the week to be worn the entire time they are visiting.

 

All potential visitors and outpatients are screened before entering the hospital through these locations:

• Main entrance – 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
• Emergency Department entrance – 24 hours a day for patients and visitors in the

Emergency Department.

 

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In light of the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic / Health Crisis, Mt. Pleasant Municipal Utilities recognizes the importance of supporting our customers that are adversely affected financially by business closures ordered by the State of Iowa, as well as, negative impacts to our customers and their families due to associated illness.

In our continuing efforts to provide this needed support, the following temporary business process / policy changes were approved by the Utility’s Board of Trustees on March 20^th, 2020. The Temporary policy changes will be applied uniformly to all electric and water utility accounts and shall become effective on March 23^rd, 2020 and extend thru the Winter Moratorium Period that is currently set to expire on May 13^th, 2020. – (As prescribed by the State of Iowa / IUB).

  Temporary Utility Policy / Process Changes:

1. Suspend penalties on past due amounts.
2. Suspend 24-hour disconnection notices.
3. Suspend account disconnections for non-payment.
4. Extend flexible payment agreements to commercial customers.
5. Work with the Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities Organization and other governmental agencies to help identify customer support programs.
6. Assist affected customers with energy saving and conservation actions to help reduce utility bills when possible.

 The Utility encourages our customers to continue making payments on their bills whenever possible. Doing so, will help customers avoid building up large debt that they may struggle to repay in the future.

 

The purpose of this FEMA page (https://www.fema.gov/coronavirus-rumor-control) is to help the public distinguish between rumors and facts regarding the response to coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Rumors can easily circulate within communities during a crisis, stay informed with our updated myth vs. facts related to the federal (COVID-19) response.

For more information on the coronavirus, please visit coronavirus.gov. You can also visit our coronavirus (COVID-19) response page for more updates on the federal response.

Myth: There is a national lockdown and the entire country will be quarantined for two weeks.

Fact: There is no national lockdown.  As with all information online or shared via social media, it is important to verify the source of the information.  You can find the latest information as well as links to additional resources at www.coronavirus.gov.

Myth: FEMA has deployed military assets.

Fact: No, FEMA does not have military assets. Like all emergencies, response is most successful when it is locally executed, state managed and federally supported.  Each state’s governor is responsible for response activities in their state, to include establishing curfews, deploying the National Guard if needed and any other restrictions or safety measures they deem necessary for the health and welfare of their citizens.

Myth: I need to stockpile as many groceries and supplies as I can.

Fact: Please only buy what your family needs for a week.  It is important to remember that many families may be unable to buy a supply of food and water for weeks in advance. Consumer demand has recently been exceptionally high – especially for grocery, household cleaning, and some healthcare products. Freight flows are not disrupted, but stores need time to restock.

Myth: I heard that the government is sending $1,000 checks. How do I sign up?

Fact: The U.S. Government is not mailing checks in response to COVID-19 at this time. Anyone who tells you they can get you the money now is a scammer. It’s important that you only trust information coming from official sources. The Federal Trade Commission recently provided more information about this scam and other common COVID-19 related scams on their website.

Myth: Only those over 60 years of age and those with existing health problems are at risk from the Coronavirus.

Fact: It is an unfortunate rumor that only people over 60 years of age are at risk of getting this disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), those at higher risk include older adults and people with serious chronic medical conditions. However, symptoms can range from mild to severe with and may have different complications for each individual. The CDC has a list of COVID-19 symptoms you may experience. Please continue to follow the official information from the CDC.

West Burlington, Iowa, March 22, 2020 – Great River Health will add greater visitor restrictions Monday, March 23, in an effort to prevent or contain COVID-19 (coronavirus) transmission in southeast Iowa.

Great River Medical Center and Fort Madison Community Hospital, which also is part of Great River Health, are announcing changes separately.

At Great River Medical Center, visiting is allowed only in designated areas. No visiting is allowed in these areas:

• Intensive Care Unit
• Medical Care Unit
• Medical-Surgical Unit
• Progressive Cardiac Unit
• Rehabilitation Unit

 

In other areas, patients are limited to the same visitors for the entire time they are hospitalized. They must stay in the patient’s room or designated visitor area. Visitors must be at least 18 years old (unless they are the parents of a pediatric patient). They must pass a screening before visiting these areas:

• Emergency Department – One adult may be with the patient during treatment.
• End of life when death is imminent – Patients may have two visitors.
• Obstetrics Unit – Only the mother’s designated support person may visit.
• Nursery and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit – One birth parent plus one significant other may visit.
• Pediatrics Unit /patients under 18 – One parent or guardian may visit.
• Patients having surgery or procedures – One visitor on the day of surgery or the procedure only
• Clinic, laboratory or Diagnostic Imaging appointments – One person may accompany the patient.

 

Families of the patients described below should work with the patient’s health care team.

• Patients with disruptive behavior whose family member is key to their care may have one visitor.
• Patients who have altered mental status or developmental delays who require a caregiver to help provide safety may have one visitor.

 

Screening process

Visitors will be asked about the presence of respiratory symptoms and recent travel, and their temperatures will be taken.

 

When visitors pass their first screening, they will receive a wristband to wear the entire time the patient they are visiting is hospitalized. Visitors with wristbands must be screened daily.

 

 

All potential visitors and outpatients are screened before entering the hospital through these locations:

• Main entrance – 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily
• Emergency Department entrance – 24 hours a day
• Eastman Plaza – 6:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday
• Cancer Care Plaza – 6:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday

 

All other entrances are closed.

 

Where to go for more information

• For more information, visit greatriverhealth.org
• For COVID-19 questions, call the Iowa Department of Public Health by dialing 211.

 

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DES MOINES –   Today, Gov. Reynolds signed a new proclamation continuing the State Public Health Emergency Declaration. The proclamation includes additional mandatory closures, relaxes certain restrictions to promote additional social distancing and provides regulatory relief to Iowa health care industries, among other actions outlined in the proclamation below.

The proclamation closes the following from Sunday, March 22nd, 2020 at 10:00 p.m. until 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, March, 31st, 2020: Salons, medical spas, barbershops, tattoo establishments, tanning facilities, massage therapy establishments, and swimming pools.

To assist Iowans further, it suspends all foreclosures on residential, commercial, and agricultural real property.

The proclamation also provides professional licensing relief to remove barriers who want to step up and serve in medical professions and to prevent the expiration of professional licenses during the disaster.

To promote further social distancing, the declaration suspends in-person requirements for various activities.

Read the full text of the proclamation below:

WHEREAS, the World Health Organization has reported an outbreak of thousands of cases of Novel Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) in multiple countries, causing illness and deaths; and

WHEREAS, on January 31, 2020, the United States Department of Health and Human Services declared a national public health emergency; and

WHEREAS, on March 9, 2020, a Proclamation of Disaster Emergency was issued to coordinate the State of Iowa’s response to this outbreak and such disaster continues to exist; and

WHEREAS, on March 11, 2020 the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a global pandemic; and

WHEREAS, on March 13, 2020, President Donald J. Trump issued a proclamation declaring that the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States constitutes a national emergency; and

WHEREAS, on March 17, 2020, a Proclamation of Public Health Disaster Emergency was issued to provide additional needed resources and measures to respond to this disaster, and such public health disaster continues to exist; and

WHEREAS, the risk of transmission of COVID-19 may be substantially reduced by community containment strategies that may include temporarily closing certain public establishments; and

WHEREAS, the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Federal Housing Finance Authority are taking action to temporarily suspend foreclosures and evictions within their jurisdiction; and strict compliance with the regulatory provisions of Iowa Code chapters 646, 654, 655A, and 656 allowing for the commencement and prosecution of foreclosure proceedings under certain circumstances would prevent, hinder, or delay necessary action in coping with this disaster in all counties of our state; and reduction of foreclosures will help prevent the transmission of infectious disease and help ensure that cases of COVID-19 are controlled and treated; and

WHEREAS, strict compliance with the provision of Iowa law regarding initial licensure for the practice of medicine and surgery, osteopathic medicine and surgery, nursing, respiratory care, and practice as a physician assistant would prevent, hinder, or delay necessary action in coping with this disaster in all counties of our state.

WHEREAS, strict compliance with the provisions of Iowa law which prohibit the practice of pharmacy with an inactive or lapsed license or a pharmacy technician who has not been able to be certified because of a closed testing location would prevent, hinder, or delay necessary action in coping with this disaster in all counties of our state.

WHEREAS, strict compliance with the provisions of Iowa law requiring in-person continuing education as a condition of professional license renewal or impose continuing education deadlines or requirements that are unable to be satisfied due to this Disaster Emergency would prevent, hinder, or delay necessary action in coping with this disaster in all counties of our state and reduction in the need for in-person continuing education will help prevent the transmission of infectious disease and help ensure that cases of COVID-19 are controlled and treated; and

WHEREAS, strict compliance with the provisions of Iowa law requiring renewal of a processional license upon its expiration during this public health disaster would prevent, hinder, or delay necessary action in coping with this disaster in all counties of our state; and

WHEREAS, strict compliance with the provisions of Iowa law requiring completion of clinical, practical, or internship experience as a condition of obtaining professional licensure to be a school administrator, mental health counselor, independent social worker, psychologist, pharmacist, or speech pathologist or audiologist would prevent, hinder, or delay necessary action in coping with this disaster in all counties of our state; and

WHEREAS, strict compliance with the provisions of Iowa law requiring the completion of background checks for initial applicants as a condition of obtaining professional licensure would prevent, hinder, or delay necessary action in coping with this disaster in all counties of our state and reduction in the need for fingerprinting by local law enforcement will help prevent the transmission of infectious disease and help ensure that cases of COVID-19 are controlled and treated; and

WHEREAS, strict compliance with the provisions of Iowa law setting an application expiration date and deadline for taking certain examinations to be licensed as a professional engineer or land surveyor would prevent, hinder, or delay necessary action in coping with this disaster in all counties of our state; and

WHEREAS, strict compliance with the provisions of Iowa law establishing examination deadlines for appraisers would prevent, hinder, or delay necessary action in coping with this disaster in all counties of our state; and

WHEREAS, strict compliance with the provisions of Iowa law establishing an 18-month examination deadline as a condition for initial licensure for prospective certified public accountant would prevent, hinder, or delay necessary action in coping with this disaster in all counties of our state; and

WHEREAS, strict compliance with the provisions of Iowa law requiring an applicant for a nursing license to complete an examination within ninety-one days of board authorization would prevent, hinder, or delay necessary action in coping with this disaster in all counties of our state; and

WHEREAS, strict compliance with the provisions of Iowa law requiring an applicant for a pharmacist license to complete all components in Iowa within a period of one year from the date the candidate passed the initial component would prevent, hinder, or delay necessary action in coping with this disaster in all counties of our state; and

WHEREAS, strict compliance with the provisions of Iowa Code § 206.5(2)(a) solely as it applies to commercial applicators, public applicators, and private applicators who were certified applicators as of December 31, 2019, would prevent, hinder, or delay necessary action in coping with this disaster in all counties of our state; and

WHEREAS, strict compliance with the provisions of Iowa Admin. Code r. 645-280.2 and 645-31.18, requiring out-of-state marital, family therapy, and mental health counselors, or social workers who provide services by telephone or other electronic means to individuals in the State of Iowa to be licensed in Iowa would prevent, hinder, or delay necessary action in coping with this disaster in all counties of our state; and

WHEREAS, strict compliance with the provisions of Iowa Code § 9B.6 requiring personal appearance for notarial acts would prevent, hinder, or delay necessary action in coping with this disaster in all counties of our state; and

WHEREAS, strict compliance with the provisions of Iowa Code §§ 144B.3, 633.279, and 633B.105 requiring personal presence for certain acts would prevent, hinder, or delay necessary action in coping with this disaster in all counties of our state; and

WHEREAS, strict compliance with the provisions Iowa Admin. Code r. 281-21.31 requiring instructional courses for drinking drivers to be delivered in person rather than online would prevent, hinder, or delay necessary action in coping with this disaster in all counties of our state; and

WHEREAS, strict compliance with the provisions of Iowa Admin. Code r. 661-221.3, that require an unattended fueling dispenser to provide a public phone would prevent, hinder, or delay necessary action in coping with this disaster in all counties of our state.

NOW THEREFORE, I, KIMBERLY K. REYNOLDS, Governor of the State of Iowa, by the power and authority vested in me by the Iowa Constitution, Art. IV, §§ 1, 8 and Iowa Code §§ 29C.6(1), 135.140(6), and 135.144 do hereby proclaim a STATE OF PUBLIC HEALTH DISASTER EMERGENCY continues to exist throughout the entire state of Iowa and do hereby ORDER and DIRECT the following:

ADDITIONAL CLOSURES OF CERTAIN ESTABLISHMENTS

SECTION ONE.  Pursuant to Iowa Code § 135.144 (3), and in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Public Health, unless otherwise modified by subsequent proclamation or order of the Iowa Department of Public Health, I hereby order that effective 10:00 p.m., March 22, 2020, and continuing until 11:59 p.m. on March 31, 2020:

157.   Salons, including all establishments providing the services of cosmetology, electrology, esthetics, nail technology, manicuring, and pedicuring, all as defined in -Iowa Code § 157.1.
158. Medical spas, as defined in Iowa Admin Code § 653-13.8(1).
159.   Barbershops, as defined Iowa Code § 158.1.
160.   Tattoo establishments, as regulated by Iowa Code § 135.37.
161. Tanning facilities, as defined by Iowa Code § 136D.2(5).
162. Massage therapy establishments, where an individual is practicing massage therapy as defined by Iowa Code § 152C.1(3).
163.   Swimming pools and spas, wading pools, water slides, wave pools, spray pads, and bath houses, as defined in Iowa Code § 135I.1, if the pool did not already close under the previous order as an aquatic center.

SUSPENSION OF FORECLOSURES

SECTION TWO.  Pursuant to Iowa Code §§ 29C.6(6) and 135.144(3), and in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Public Health, I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Code chapters 646, 654, 655A, and 656 allowing for the commencement of foreclosure proceedings, or the prosecution of ongoing foreclosure proceedings, on residential, commercial, and agricultural real property located in the state of Iowa. Suspension of these provisions shall apply during the duration of this Proclamation or any future extension of this suspension.

1.   Nothing in this section shall be construed as relieving any individual of their obligation to make mortgage payments, or to comply with any other obligation that an individual may have under a mortgage.
2. The Iowa Division of Banking and the Iowa Division of Credit Unions are hereby directed to immediately engage with banks, credit unions, mortgage bankers, and mortgage services to identify any tools, means, or methods that could be used to relieve Iowans from the threat of foreclosure.

 

 

PROFESSIONAL LICENSING RELIEF

SECTION THREE.  Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6) and Iowa Code § 135.144(3), and in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Public Health, I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Code chapters §§ 147.2, 148.3, 148.5, 148C.3, 152.7, 152B.7A,  and any other implementing administrative rules to the extent they prohibit the practice of medicine and surgery, osteopathic medicine and surgery, nursing, respiratory care, and practice as a physician assistant for an individual who has not yet obtained an initial license, if the licensing board determines that the individual has completed sufficient education and should be granted an emergency license to practice in accordance with any guidance issued by the board. I hereby direct all regulatory agencies or boards governed by these provisions to provide additional guidance to licensees regarding the effect of these suspensions.

SECTION FOUR.  Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6) and Iowa Code § 135.144(3), and in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Public Health, I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Code § 47.10 and Iowa Admin. Code r. 657-2.3, 2.11(2), 3.5(1), and any other implementing administrative rules which prohibit the practice of pharmacy by a pharmacist licensee whose license is inactive or lapsed, or by a pharmacy technician trainee who is unable to become nationally certified due to closed testing locations.  Suspension of these provisions is limited to pharmacist licenses which have lapsed or expired within the five (5) years prior to this Proclamation, and is limited to pharmacy technician trainees whose trainee registration expires between March 18, 2020, and May 31, 2020, and who are unable to sit for the examination due to closed testing locations, and is solely for the duration of this Proclamation.

SECTION FIVE.  Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6) and Iowa Code § 135.144(3), and in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Public Health, I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Code chapters 80A, 88A, 88B, 89, 89A, 90A, 91C, 99D, 99F, 100C, 100D, 101A, 103, 105, 124, 126, 135, 136B, 136C, 147, 147A, 147B, 148, 148A, 148B, 148C, 148E, 148F, 149, 151, 152, 152A, 152B, 152C, 152D, 153, 154, 154A, 154B, 154C, 154D, 154E, 154F, 155, 155A, 156, 157, 158, 159, 169, 192, 206, 272, 272C, 321, 441, 455B, 459B, 481A, 502, 522B, 535B, 542, 542B, 543B, 543D, 544A, 544B, 544C, and any provisions of the Iowa Administrative Code implementing those chapters, to the extent they impose requirements for in-person continuing education as a condition of professional license renewal or impose continuing education deadlines or requirements that are unable to be satisfied due to this Disaster Emergency. Suspension of these provisions shall extend through the duration of this Proclamation and any future extension of this suspension. I hereby direct all regulatory agencies or boards governed by these provisions to provide additional guidance to licensees regarding the effect of these suspensions.

SECTION SIX.  Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6), I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Code chapters 80A, 88A, 88B, 89, 89A, 90A, 91C, 99D, 99F, 100C, 100D, 101A, 103, 105, 124, 126, 135, 136B, 136C, 147, 147A, 147B, 148, 148A, 148B, 148C, 148E, 148F, 149, 151, 152, 152A, 152B, 152C, 152D, 153, 154, 154A, 154B, 154C, 154D, 154E, 154F, 155, 155A, 156, 157, 158, 159, 169, 192, 272, 272C, 321, 441, 455B, 459B, 481A, 502, 522B, 535B, 542, 542B, 543B, 543D, 544A, 544B, 544C, and any provisions of the Iowa Administrative Code implementing those chapters, to the extent they set an expiration date or renewal requirement for a professional license that expires during the duration of this Proclamation. Suspension of these provisions shall extend through the duration of this Proclamation and any future extension of this suspension. I hereby direct all regulatory agencies or boards governed by these provisions to provide additional guidance to licensees regarding the effect of these suspensions.

SECTION SEVEN.  Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6), I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Admin. Code r 281-79.16(4)(a), 645-31.6(2)(b)(12), 645-280.6(3), 645-240.6(2), 657-4.3, 645-300.3(4)(b)(2), 300.6(3)(a), and 300.6(3)(d), requiring the completion of clinical, practical, or internship experience as a condition of obtaining professional licensure to be a school administrator, mental health counselor, independent social worker, psychologist, pharmacist, or speech pathologist or audiologist. Suspension of these provisions shall extend through the duration of this Proclamation and any future extension of this suspension. I hereby direct all regulatory agencies or boards governed by these provisions to provide additional guidance to licensees regarding the effect of these suspensions.

SECTION EIGHT.  Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6), I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa  Code §§ 272.2(17), 272C.3(1)(a), 543B.15(9), and 543D.22, and any provisions of the Iowa Administrative Code implementing those provisions, which require the completion of background checks for initial applicants as a condition of obtaining professional licensure. Suspension of these provisions shall apply during the duration of this Proclamation and any future extension of this suspension. I hereby direct all regulatory agencies or boards governed by these provisions to, upon the expiration of this Disaster Emergency, conduct background checks for those applicants and take any necessary action resulting from completion of those checks, up to and including revocation of licensure.

SECTION NINE.  Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6), I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Code § 542B.13 and Iowa Admin. Code r. 193C-3.1(1) and 193C-3.2, setting an application expiration date and deadline for taking certain examinations to be licensed as a professional engineer or land surveyor.

SECTION TEN.  Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6), I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Code § 543D.8 and Iowa Admin. Code r 193F-3.2, 193F-5.3, and 193F-6.3 and any other implementing administrative rules establishing examination deadlines as a condition for initial licensure for appraisers.

SECTION ELEVEN.  Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6), I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Code § 542.5 and Iowa Admin. Code r 193A-3.6(1) and any other implementing administrative rules establishing an 18-month examination deadline as a condition for initial licensure for prospective certified public accountants.

SECTION TWELVE.  Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6), I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Admin. Code r. 655-3.4(4) requiring an applicant for a nursing license to complete an examination within ninety-one days of board authorization.

SECTION THIRTEEN.  Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6), I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Admin. Code r. 657-2.4(2) requiring an applicant for a pharmacist license to complete all components in Iowa within a period of one year from the date the candidate passed the initial component.

SECTION FOURTEEN.  Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6), I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Code § 206.5(2)(a) solely as it applies to commercial applicators, public applicators, and private applicators who were certified applicators as of December 31, 2019.

SECTION FIFTEEN.  Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6), I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Admin. Code r. 645-280.2 and 645-31.18, to the extent that they require out-of-state marital, family therapy, and mental health counselors, or social workers who provide services by telephone or other electronic means to individuals in the State of Iowa to be licensed in Iowa.

REMOTE NOTARIZATION AND WITNESSING

SECTION SIXTEEN.  Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6), I temporarily suspend the personal appearance requirement in Iowa Code § 9B.6, but only to the extent that the notarial act complies with the requirements of section 6 of 2019 Iowa Acts chapter 44 (Senate File 475) and any additional guidance provided by the Iowa Secretary of State regarding approved communication technology.

SECTION SEVENTEEN.  Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6) and Iowa Code § 135.144(3), and in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Public Health, I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Code §§ 144B.3, 633.279, and 633B.105, to the extent that they require the physical presence of a testator, settlor, principal, witness, or other person, if the person is present in a manner in which the witness or other person can see and hear the acts by electronic means, such as video conference, Skype, Facetime, Zoom, or other means, whether or not recorded.

 

 

OTHER REGULATORY RELIEF

SECTION EIGHTEEN.  Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6), I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Admin. Code r. 281-21.31 to the extent it requires instructional courses for drinking drivers to be delivered in person rather than online.

SECTION NINETEEN.  Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6), I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Admin. Code r. 661-221.3, that require an unattended fueling dispenser to provide a public phone.

IMPLEMENTATION AND INTERPRETATION

SECTION TWENTY.  The Iowa Department of Public Safety, Iowa Department of Public Health, Iowa Department of Education, Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, Iowa Department of Transportation, and other participating state agencies are hereby directed to monitor the operation and implementation of this proclamation to assure the public’s health and safety.

SECTION TWENTY-ONE.  Nothing contained in this declaration shall be construed as an exemption from any other portion of the Iowa Code or Iowa Administrative Code not specifically identified in this proclamation.

The provisions of this proclamation shall be effective immediately, unless otherwise noted. This proclamation shall not be construed to otherwise modify the proclamations issued on March 17, 2020 or March 19, 2020. This state of public health disaster emergency shall continue to expire on April 16, 2020, at 11:59 p.m., unless sooner terminated or extended in writing by me.

First Case of COVID-19 Confirmed in HENRY County

A case of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has been confirmed in Henry County. According to the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH), the individual is self-isolating at home.

“While this is Henry County’s first case, it may not be the last, and that’s why we encourage all residents to continue to make prevention a priority,” said Henry County Public Health Director Shelley Van Dorin. These actions include:

• Washing hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds each time.
• Covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow/upper arm.
• Staying home when ill.

Approximately 80% of Iowans infected with COVID-19, will experience only a mild to moderate illness. Most mildly ill Iowans do not need to go to their healthcare provider or be tested to confirm they have COVID-19. Sick Iowans must stay home and isolate themselves from others in their house. Stay home and isolate from others in the house until:

• You have had no fever for at least 72 hours (that is three full days of no fever without the use of medicine that reduces fevers)

AND

• other symptoms have improved (for example, when your cough or shortness of breath have improved)

AND

• at least 7 days have passed since your symptoms first appeared.

If you think you may need healthcare, call first. Your provider can assess whether you need to be seen in the office or if you can recover at home. There may also be options for you to talk to a medical provider from home using technology.

For up-to-date information from Iowa Department of Public Health related to COVID-19, visit https://idph.iowa.gov/Emerging-Health-Issues/Novel-Coronavirus. For recent fact sheets, resources, and local organization updates, visit www.HealthyHenryCounty.org/PublicHealth.

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– The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) has been notified of 23 additional positive cases of Iowans with COVID-19, for a total of 68 positive cases. To date, there have been 1,049 negative tests conducted at the State Hygienic Lab.

 

According to IDPH, the locations and age ranges of the 23 individuals include:

• Allamakee County, 1 middle age adult (41-60 years), 1 older adult (61-80 years)
• Black Hawk County, 1 middle age adult (41-60 years), 1 elderly (81 years or older)
• Dubuque County, 1 older adult (61-80 years)
• Fayette County, 1 adult (18-40 years)
• Henry County, 1 adult (18-40 years)
• Johnson County, 3 adults (18-40 years), 1 middle age adult (41-60 years), 1 older adult (61-80 years)
• Linn County, 2 adults (18-40 years), 1 middle age adult (41-60 years)
• Muscatine County, 1 middle age adult (41-60 years)
• Polk County, 2 middle age adults (41-60 years), 2 older adults (61-80 years)
• Pottawattamie County, 1 middle age adult (41-60 years)
• Story County, 1 adult (18-40 years)
• Washington County, 1 middle age adult (41-60 years)

 

A status report of monitoring and testing of COVID19 in Iowa is provided by IDPH and can be found here. In addition, a public hotline has been established for Iowans with questions about COVID-19. The line is available 24/7 by calling 2-1-1 or 1-800-244-7431. The state of Iowa will begin to share the number of negative tests conducted at outside labs.

 

Iowans who have traveled recently for business or spring break vacations, whether internationally or domestically outside of Iowa, should strongly consider self-isolating for 14 days. This will support Iowa’s ongoing efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, and limit the introduction of the virus from other points of travel.

 

Iowa has implemented many provisions to emphasize social distancing, and self-isolation after travel is another measure we can take to slow the spread of the virus and avoid quickly overburdening our healthcare system.

 

Gov. Reynolds will hold a press conference on Sun., March 22 at 2:30 p.m. The press conference will be livestreamed and posted in full on Governor Reynolds’ Facebook Page.

 

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