Health And Fitness

 The Benton County Public Health Department reminds residents that although they are spending more time away from friends and family because of social distancing, state, county and local leaders recognize and appreciate the vital role they serve in stopping the spread of COVID-19.“This unprecedented time is not easy,” said Benton County Public Health Director Katie Cox “We want everyone to know that the actions they are taking - staying away from groups of people and keeping a 6-foot distance from other individuals – are important and make a difference.

Effective Tuesday, March 24, visitors are NOT allowed unless the visitor is a designated caregiver and the patient falls into one of four categories listed below:1. The patient is imminently dying.2. The patient is an infant or small child. In this case, only one designated parent/caregiver may be present in the room to support care of the patient.

County Public Health Department and the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) remind residents they play a vital role in stopping the spread of COVID-19. A critical part of containment is practicing social distancing.“Social distancing is a term used to describe certain action public health and individuals can take to stop or slow the spread of an infectious disease,” said Benton County Public Health Director Katie Cox.

Traditional and social media have been full recently of stories and pictures of people stocking up on toilet paper in preparation for COVID-19. Benton County Public Health and the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) remind residents that hoarding of items, most notably toilet paper, are not necessary or recommended.“We encourage residents to prepare for COVID-19 by making a family plan, being ready for possible interruptions in their normal work and school schedules, and by making sure they have their regular prescriptions on hand,” said Benton County Public Health Director Katie Cox.

Important Notice from Benton County Environmental Health:A reminder to residents of the county to not flush wipes of any kind, paper towels, facial tissues, napkins or feminine products down the toilet. These products can damage and clog sanitary sewers and septic systems causing failure. Thank you

David Condry, Project CoordinatorAbove the Influence Wellness Coalition During the past weeks it has been reported consistently that older adults and people with underlying health conditions, such as diabetes, lung disease, or heart disease, are at greater risk of severe illness from COVID-19.  While this virus is a risk for anyone in our community it is important to recognize another group that has an increased risk during this time.

In response to Governor Reynold’s announcement of community spread in Iowa of the COVID-19 virus, Virginia Gay Hospital is updating the public with the following information regarding Virginia Gay Hospital and clinics as we work to minimize patient and staff exposure and conserve resources.The following precautions will take effect until further notice.

To Our Residents and Family Members:We know many of you are concerned about the spread of COVID-19 (the new coronavirus) and how it may impact us here at Virginia Gay Nursing and Rehab. Ensuring residents are cared for in a safe and healthy environment is our first priority. At this time, we don’t have any cases in our building. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have recommended a variety of steps that we are implementing to help reduce the potential for the virus to enter our building.

Click to view the guidelines and tips to avoid and curtail the spread of the Coronavirus

Donate today at Virginia Gay Hospital and Vinton Community Blood Drive, Tuesday, March 17, 2020 from 1:45 PM - 5:30 PM at Virginia Gay Hospital, 502 N 9th Ave. LifeServe Blood Center, along with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other national partners, is urging blood donors to turn out in force to give blood. Across the blood industry, nearly 4,000 blood drives have been canceled, resulting in some 130,000 fewer blood donations due to concerns regarding COVID-19.