Sickness rises in Henry County

MT. PLEASANT — Henry County Public Health encourages the public to get vaccinated, stay home when sick, and wash their hands to slow the spread of sickness this winter season.

“Henry County Public Health has been pretty busy,” Henry County Public Health Director Shelley Van Dorin informed the Board of Supervisors Thursday morning. “We gave 1,267 shots in October and November and saw 834 people. We had 16 outreach clinics, which means we went to them.”

Van Dorin also informed the board that instances of COVID, RSV, and flu are cup in the county.

According to data updated Dec. 11 on COVID ActNow, Henry County reports 10.7 weekly COVID admissions per 100,000 and currently has a medium community risk level.

“Please remember hand washing and please stay home when you’re sick,” Van Dorin encouraged.

Henry County Public Health further advises the public to wash their hands not only when they’re dirty but also before eating.

Additionally, they encourage everyone to avoid putting fingers in their eyes, nose, or mouth, clean frequently touched items and surfaces, and do not cough or sneeze into their hands.

According to Van Dorin, current protocol for COVID is to stay home for five days.

“If you start to feel better you can go back to work, but you need to wear a mask for five more days,” she said.

As for the flu, Van Dorin stated that standard practice is to stay home until you are fever free for 24 hours.

“We still have COVID and RSV and Flu shots available,” Van Dorin informed the board and encouraged the public to get vaccinated.

According to public health, COVID can be contagious for one to two days before symptoms begin and most contagious for the first five days after onset of symptoms. The flu can be passed to others between five to seven days after the start of symptoms.

RSV is contagious between three to eight days after the start of symptoms. For immunocompromised individuals and some infants, this window for transmission can last up to four weeks for RSV.

“Even if it’s not for you, if you have elderly grandparents and other people that will get quite sick with COVID you can help protect them. If you protect yourself, you protect them,” she said.

Iowa Public Health Tracking Portal data shows that 20.5% of Henry County’s population has received the flu vaccine.

Henry County Public Health is currently offering all-day walk-in Flu and COVID vaccines through December.

Located at 106 North Jackson Street, vaccines are available Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-4 p.m. excluding Christmas Day.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com