COVID-19 UPDATES AND RESOURCES
DAILY UPDATE: March 31, 2020
For up to date community information in Shelby County, please visit the Facebook page of the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Myrtue Medical, Harlan Newspapers and KNOD Radio. For Iowa state updates, please visit the Iowa Department of Public Health website -https://idph.iowa.gov/ , or https://coronavirus.iowa.gov/ For national updates, please visit the CDC website – https://www.cdc.gov/
As of 2:30 PM, March 31st, there are 3 reported cases of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) in Shelby County. Statewide, there are 497 positive cases with 62 counties affected. 61 individuals are hospitalized with COVID-19. Seven deaths have been reported in Iowa. IA Dept of Public Health is reporting 6,888 negative tests for COVID-19 in Iowa.
NOTE: Age is a strong risk factor for severe illness. Starting at age 60, your risk of severe illness doubles or triples between decades of life. Underlying medical conditions also increase your risk of severe illness, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, respiratory disease, or cancer. All age groups are vulnerable to the 2019 novel coronavirus and EVERYONE needs to practice social distancing measures.
UPDATE: UPDATE FROM SHELBY COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT: Effective immediately, Shelby County is under an Extreme Fire Danger. NO PRESCRIBED BURNS ALLOWED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. This includes all outside burning.
URGENT: Please do not flush anything down a toilet other than toilet paper. Flushing any other items (paper towels, wash cloths, wipes of any kind, feminine hygiene products, etc.) WILL damage and possibly shut down our sewer systems. Cooking Grease is prohibited from being disposed into the sewer system. Please place cooking grease into an approved container or jar and dispose in the garbage.
UPDATE: From the City of Harlan - Playground equipment in City of Harlan Parks is closed to the public. Restrooms and Shelter Houses in the City of Harlan parks are closed. If you are using the parks, please practice safe social distancing.
UPDATE: Shelby County State Bank announced effective tomorrow, Wednesday, April 1st that they will limit their operations to four (4) of their seven locations in Shelby County. The Harlan Downtown, Elk Horn, Panama and Shelby offices will continue to operate in “drive thru” mode only. These locations will be open 8 am – 4 pm, Monday through Friday and 8-11 am Saturday. The Irwin, Portsmouth, and Harlan West branches will be temporarily closed including the night depositories. Call SCSB at 755-5112 for all questions.
UPDATE: Shelby County Public Health Department – it is strongly suggested that if you choose to pleasure travel, or travel for extended business, outside of the State of Iowa you should self-quarantine upon return for two weeks. This does not include commuter travel to the Omaha Metro Market.
UPDATE: The City of Shelby is starting a donation program for people who have self-isolated in their homes and need groceries and could use some help paying for them. Please call City Hall for more details - 712-544-2404 If you would like to donate to this program to help our neighbors or buy groceries, drop them off at the old Shelby City Hall, 419 East Street, we will leave door open during regular business hours. Monetary donations can be sent to City Hall at 417 East Street. Your donations are greatly appreciated! 100% of donated funds received go to the grocery’s assistance program.
UPDATE: The Shelby County Landfill is now open to the public again. The office will remain closed. Individuals dropping off items should use the mailbox on the wall to drop off payment.
UPDATE: As of Tuesday, March 31st at Noon the Harlan Community Library will be discontinuing their curbside service. The library is encouraging everyone to stay home and access their online resources. If you would like to stock up on books/movies/puzzles, call the library at 755-5934 or reserve online before Noon tomorrow.
UPDATE: The Shelby County COAD is offering Grocery Shopping services for Fareway customers and Grocery Delivery services for HyVee customers. The phone bank to place your orders for Fareway or schedule your deliveries for HyVee is open from 6 pm to 8 pm on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. Call toll free 833-356-8189 during these times for more information and to order/schedule delivery.
VOLUNTEERS: To volunteer to help with current Community Efforts to service our higher risk community members, contact the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce & Industry and you will be referred to the Shelby County COAD (Community Organizations Active in Disaster).
REMINDER: If you are making surgical masks for Myrtue Medical, there is a limited supply of elastic available at the Shelby County Chamber. Some of the elastic available is 1/2” wide. If using this donated elastic, cut the 1/2” wide ribbon in half to create two 1/4” wide ribbons for use. Thank you to Variety Distributors and Rusty’s Shoe Repair (Roger Rust) for the elastic donated!
FACE MASKS FOR MYRTUE MARCH 2020
Instructions:
If you have begun making masks using a different pattern than the one posted, please continue and donate those also.
REMINDER: The Shelby County Courthouse is now closed to the public. Departments are answering phones. Please call 755-3831 and select the department you wish to speak to from the menu. Please call 755-3831 option 6 for an absentee ballot for the June primary to be sent to you. Additional details regarding the Court System may be announced later.
REMINDER: From the Shelby County Auditor:
Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate has issued a directive that the June 2nd Primary will not be cancelled or postponed. The Shelby County Auditor’s Office will begin mailing absentee ballots on April 23rd or possibly later depending on when they are printed and available. Mark Maxwell, Shelby County Auditor, is encouraging everyone to request an absentee ballot. You may request a ballot by calling 712-755-3831, ext. 6 and providing your name, address, telephone number, and the number of ballots needed for your address. If you call after hours, please leave a detailed voice mail message with this information.
West Central Community Action Food Pantry is open by appointment only. If you would like to donate food, gift cards from local businesses, or need to pick up food from the pantry, you must call first: 712-755-5602.
REMINDER: Pantry items are needed for the HCSD Feed the Children Program. Needed donated items: bread, mac & cheese, fresh vegetables, eggs, peanut butter, tuna, cereal, canned goods, etc. Donated items may be dropped off at FarmTable Delivery (1901 Hawkeye Avenue). Additional volunteer drivers are needed for the Feed the Children program. If you can assist, please email Ellen Walsh-Rosmann at [email protected]
REMINDER: Links for business assistance and unemployment claims are available on the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce & Industry website – exploreshelbycounty.com – under the Shelby County COVID-19 Daily Updates and Resources button.
REMINDER FROM MYRTUE MEDICAL CENTER: Patients coming to Myrtue Medical Center are discouraged from bringing more than one visitor with them unless necessary. This limitation should be one healthy adult, no children. This includes one healthy visitor with a patient for doctor appointments, testing, and hospitalization. For our OB patients and their families’ safety, Myrtue is limiting Birthing Center visitors to one healthy adult during the entire stay. Children may visit in the OB waiting room but not in the locked OB corridor. The visitor limitation will not apply to our Hospice patients.
REMINDER: The City of Harlan announced that effective Monday, March 23rd the City Hall Office is closed to the public. If you need to speak to the City of Harlan, please call (712) 755-5137.
Visit your local church social media pages and websites for updates on service broadcasts during this time. Many will record services/messages that will also be broadcast on FMCTC and HMU - check those websites for schedules.
From the Shelby County Public Health Nurse:
All Shelby County residents: Unless you must go out for essential supplies or services, please stay home. This recommendation is even more critical for those over 60 with underlying health conditions as seniors are more likely to have severe symptoms associated with COVID-19 infections. Social distancing makes a difference when we all do our part by staying home and reducing potential exposures. Anyone who is sick, please stay home. (This is always good advice, but particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic). If you are mildly ill, please rest and recover at home. If you need to see a health care provider, call ahead. Everything we do to reduce exposure individually is a victory for our community.
If you are mildly ill with respiratory illness or fever (temperature of 100.4 or higher), stay home and isolate from others until you have gone 72 hours without these symptoms without the use of over the counter medications and 7 days have passed since the symptoms first appeared.
f you are seriously ill with respiratory illness or fever (temperature of 100.4 or higher), call ahead to (712) 755-5130 and speak directly to a nurse at Myrtue Medical to screen your needs. If you decide to go to the Emergency Room, call ahead to let them know you are coming.
Please Practice Social Distancing at All Times – when considering going out for shopping, please do not make this a family outing. Have one individual from the household do your shopping.
Monitor local information at the Shelby County Chamber website and the Myrtue Medical Center website.
Purchase weekly groceries and supplies—purchasing large amounts of needed items limits access to others.
Use credible sources for information to reduce gossip and fear. Credible sources include the Iowa Department of Public Health or the Center for Disease Control webpages. At the local level, please follow Myrtue Medical Center’s webpage and social media and the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce. Weekly newspaper articles also provide information regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.
Stay calm and be thoughtful. We are all in this together and want to make sure we are all able to have the resources and support we need to stay healthy, have essential needs met, and receive medical care as needed.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Business, State, and Federal Resource Links:
Small Business Administration, Disaster Loan Assistance Program: https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/
Iowa Workforce Development information for Employers:
https://www.iowaworkforcedevelopment.gov/sites/search.iowaworkforcedevelopment.gov/files/content-files/Employer%20COVID-19%20QA.pdf
Iowa Workforce Development information for Employees: https://www.iowaworkforcedevelopment.gov/updates-and-resources-about-covid-19
OSHA - Guidance for Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19: https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3990.pdf
CDC - Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/guidance-business-response.html
Governor Reynold's State of Public Health Disaster Declaration of 03.17.20: https://governor.iowa.gov/press-release/gov-reynolds-issues-a-state-of-public-health-disaster-emergency
Iowa Economic Development - COVID-19 Impact Survey: https://uni.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4SK7W5qa88IkhXT
Iowa Economic Development - COVID-19 Iowa Business Recovery Assistance: https://www.iowaeconomicdevelopment.com/our-agency-detail-resources/6710
Iowa Department of Public Health - COVID-19 Guidance for Businesses: https://idph.iowa.gov/Emerging-Health-Issues/Novel-Coronavirus/Business-and-Organizations
Federal Government COVID-19: https://www.cdc.gov/
For up to date community information in Shelby County, please visit the Facebook page of the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Myrtue Medical, Harlan Newspapers and KNOD Radio. For Iowa state updates, please visit the Iowa Department of Public Health website -https://idph.iowa.gov/ , or https://coronavirus.iowa.gov/ For national updates, please visit the CDC website – https://www.cdc.gov/
As of 2:30 PM, March 31st, there are 3 reported cases of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) in Shelby County. Statewide, there are 497 positive cases with 62 counties affected. 61 individuals are hospitalized with COVID-19. Seven deaths have been reported in Iowa. IA Dept of Public Health is reporting 6,888 negative tests for COVID-19 in Iowa.
NOTE: Age is a strong risk factor for severe illness. Starting at age 60, your risk of severe illness doubles or triples between decades of life. Underlying medical conditions also increase your risk of severe illness, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, respiratory disease, or cancer. All age groups are vulnerable to the 2019 novel coronavirus and EVERYONE needs to practice social distancing measures.
UPDATE: UPDATE FROM SHELBY COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT: Effective immediately, Shelby County is under an Extreme Fire Danger. NO PRESCRIBED BURNS ALLOWED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. This includes all outside burning.
URGENT: Please do not flush anything down a toilet other than toilet paper. Flushing any other items (paper towels, wash cloths, wipes of any kind, feminine hygiene products, etc.) WILL damage and possibly shut down our sewer systems. Cooking Grease is prohibited from being disposed into the sewer system. Please place cooking grease into an approved container or jar and dispose in the garbage.
UPDATE: From the City of Harlan - Playground equipment in City of Harlan Parks is closed to the public. Restrooms and Shelter Houses in the City of Harlan parks are closed. If you are using the parks, please practice safe social distancing.
UPDATE: Shelby County State Bank announced effective tomorrow, Wednesday, April 1st that they will limit their operations to four (4) of their seven locations in Shelby County. The Harlan Downtown, Elk Horn, Panama and Shelby offices will continue to operate in “drive thru” mode only. These locations will be open 8 am – 4 pm, Monday through Friday and 8-11 am Saturday. The Irwin, Portsmouth, and Harlan West branches will be temporarily closed including the night depositories. Call SCSB at 755-5112 for all questions.
UPDATE: Shelby County Public Health Department – it is strongly suggested that if you choose to pleasure travel, or travel for extended business, outside of the State of Iowa you should self-quarantine upon return for two weeks. This does not include commuter travel to the Omaha Metro Market.
UPDATE: The City of Shelby is starting a donation program for people who have self-isolated in their homes and need groceries and could use some help paying for them. Please call City Hall for more details - 712-544-2404 If you would like to donate to this program to help our neighbors or buy groceries, drop them off at the old Shelby City Hall, 419 East Street, we will leave door open during regular business hours. Monetary donations can be sent to City Hall at 417 East Street. Your donations are greatly appreciated! 100% of donated funds received go to the grocery’s assistance program.
UPDATE: The Shelby County Landfill is now open to the public again. The office will remain closed. Individuals dropping off items should use the mailbox on the wall to drop off payment.
UPDATE: As of Tuesday, March 31st at Noon the Harlan Community Library will be discontinuing their curbside service. The library is encouraging everyone to stay home and access their online resources. If you would like to stock up on books/movies/puzzles, call the library at 755-5934 or reserve online before Noon tomorrow.
UPDATE: The Shelby County COAD is offering Grocery Shopping services for Fareway customers and Grocery Delivery services for HyVee customers. The phone bank to place your orders for Fareway or schedule your deliveries for HyVee is open from 6 pm to 8 pm on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. Call toll free 833-356-8189 during these times for more information and to order/schedule delivery.
VOLUNTEERS: To volunteer to help with current Community Efforts to service our higher risk community members, contact the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce & Industry and you will be referred to the Shelby County COAD (Community Organizations Active in Disaster).
REMINDER: If you are making surgical masks for Myrtue Medical, there is a limited supply of elastic available at the Shelby County Chamber. Some of the elastic available is 1/2” wide. If using this donated elastic, cut the 1/2” wide ribbon in half to create two 1/4” wide ribbons for use. Thank you to Variety Distributors and Rusty’s Shoe Repair (Roger Rust) for the elastic donated!
FACE MASKS FOR MYRTUE MARCH 2020
Instructions:
- Use cotton fabric. No need to prewash as the mask will be processed after arriving at MMC.
- Cut 2 pieces of fabric 8.5 inches long and 8 inches high.
- Sew right sides together along the 8.5-inch side. Turn fabric pair right side out and press.
- Sew a 5/8-inch seam from one sewn edge (on the 8.5-inch side) to create a “pocket” which will house a nose clip once the mask is processed at MMC.
- Finish the raw edges along each 8-inch side/ends making sure to leave the 5/8-inch pocket open. Zigzag the raw edge or serge if you have a serger.
- If you can find thin elastic (1/8, 1/4 or ½ inch), sew a 6-inch length to each end top and bottom taking care to secure it firmly. This creates a loop that will fit around the ears on each side so be sure the elastic is not twisted. Again, do not sew over the 5/8-inch opening where the nose clip will be inserted. You may also cut open a large elastic hair tie if elastic is not available.
- Place completed masks in a paper bag and drop off in the lobby outside the Shelby County Chamber office 1901 Hawkeye Ave. Harlan
If you have begun making masks using a different pattern than the one posted, please continue and donate those also.
REMINDER: The Shelby County Courthouse is now closed to the public. Departments are answering phones. Please call 755-3831 and select the department you wish to speak to from the menu. Please call 755-3831 option 6 for an absentee ballot for the June primary to be sent to you. Additional details regarding the Court System may be announced later.
REMINDER: From the Shelby County Auditor:
Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate has issued a directive that the June 2nd Primary will not be cancelled or postponed. The Shelby County Auditor’s Office will begin mailing absentee ballots on April 23rd or possibly later depending on when they are printed and available. Mark Maxwell, Shelby County Auditor, is encouraging everyone to request an absentee ballot. You may request a ballot by calling 712-755-3831, ext. 6 and providing your name, address, telephone number, and the number of ballots needed for your address. If you call after hours, please leave a detailed voice mail message with this information.
West Central Community Action Food Pantry is open by appointment only. If you would like to donate food, gift cards from local businesses, or need to pick up food from the pantry, you must call first: 712-755-5602.
REMINDER: Pantry items are needed for the HCSD Feed the Children Program. Needed donated items: bread, mac & cheese, fresh vegetables, eggs, peanut butter, tuna, cereal, canned goods, etc. Donated items may be dropped off at FarmTable Delivery (1901 Hawkeye Avenue). Additional volunteer drivers are needed for the Feed the Children program. If you can assist, please email Ellen Walsh-Rosmann at [email protected]
REMINDER: Links for business assistance and unemployment claims are available on the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce & Industry website – exploreshelbycounty.com – under the Shelby County COVID-19 Daily Updates and Resources button.
REMINDER FROM MYRTUE MEDICAL CENTER: Patients coming to Myrtue Medical Center are discouraged from bringing more than one visitor with them unless necessary. This limitation should be one healthy adult, no children. This includes one healthy visitor with a patient for doctor appointments, testing, and hospitalization. For our OB patients and their families’ safety, Myrtue is limiting Birthing Center visitors to one healthy adult during the entire stay. Children may visit in the OB waiting room but not in the locked OB corridor. The visitor limitation will not apply to our Hospice patients.
REMINDER: The City of Harlan announced that effective Monday, March 23rd the City Hall Office is closed to the public. If you need to speak to the City of Harlan, please call (712) 755-5137.
Visit your local church social media pages and websites for updates on service broadcasts during this time. Many will record services/messages that will also be broadcast on FMCTC and HMU - check those websites for schedules.
From the Shelby County Public Health Nurse:
All Shelby County residents: Unless you must go out for essential supplies or services, please stay home. This recommendation is even more critical for those over 60 with underlying health conditions as seniors are more likely to have severe symptoms associated with COVID-19 infections. Social distancing makes a difference when we all do our part by staying home and reducing potential exposures. Anyone who is sick, please stay home. (This is always good advice, but particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic). If you are mildly ill, please rest and recover at home. If you need to see a health care provider, call ahead. Everything we do to reduce exposure individually is a victory for our community.
If you are mildly ill with respiratory illness or fever (temperature of 100.4 or higher), stay home and isolate from others until you have gone 72 hours without these symptoms without the use of over the counter medications and 7 days have passed since the symptoms first appeared.
f you are seriously ill with respiratory illness or fever (temperature of 100.4 or higher), call ahead to (712) 755-5130 and speak directly to a nurse at Myrtue Medical to screen your needs. If you decide to go to the Emergency Room, call ahead to let them know you are coming.
Please Practice Social Distancing at All Times – when considering going out for shopping, please do not make this a family outing. Have one individual from the household do your shopping.
Monitor local information at the Shelby County Chamber website and the Myrtue Medical Center website.
Purchase weekly groceries and supplies—purchasing large amounts of needed items limits access to others.
Use credible sources for information to reduce gossip and fear. Credible sources include the Iowa Department of Public Health or the Center for Disease Control webpages. At the local level, please follow Myrtue Medical Center’s webpage and social media and the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce. Weekly newspaper articles also provide information regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.
Stay calm and be thoughtful. We are all in this together and want to make sure we are all able to have the resources and support we need to stay healthy, have essential needs met, and receive medical care as needed.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Business, State, and Federal Resource Links:
Small Business Administration, Disaster Loan Assistance Program: https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/
Iowa Workforce Development information for Employers:
https://www.iowaworkforcedevelopment.gov/sites/search.iowaworkforcedevelopment.gov/files/content-files/Employer%20COVID-19%20QA.pdf
Iowa Workforce Development information for Employees: https://www.iowaworkforcedevelopment.gov/updates-and-resources-about-covid-19
OSHA - Guidance for Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19: https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3990.pdf
CDC - Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/guidance-business-response.html
Governor Reynold's State of Public Health Disaster Declaration of 03.17.20: https://governor.iowa.gov/press-release/gov-reynolds-issues-a-state-of-public-health-disaster-emergency
Iowa Economic Development - COVID-19 Impact Survey: https://uni.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4SK7W5qa88IkhXT
Iowa Economic Development - COVID-19 Iowa Business Recovery Assistance: https://www.iowaeconomicdevelopment.com/our-agency-detail-resources/6710
Iowa Department of Public Health - COVID-19 Guidance for Businesses: https://idph.iowa.gov/Emerging-Health-Issues/Novel-Coronavirus/Business-and-Organizations
Federal Government COVID-19: https://www.cdc.gov/
