(Clarinda) — Web page County Public Well being Administrator Jess Erdman hopes when the time involves throw away the 2021 calendar, COVID-19 can even be disposed.
Erdman met with the Web page County Supervisors Thursday, Jan. 14, concerning the division’s fiscal yr 2022 price range which begins July 1.
“This yr was just a little completely different attributable to COVID. I did my price range with the anticipation, fingers crossed, COVID will probably be passed by December,” she mentioned.
Erdman famous a 1,900% enhance for wages for illness prevention management that are contact tracers and extra time on illness investigations. Provides even have elevated though the state has offered assist. That price range is 42% increased.
Erdman expects increased journey bills when COVID vaccines are administered on web site, like at a college or enterprise.
She mentioned public well being board chairman Chuck Nordyke famous Erdman’s low wage and proposed a 6.9% enhance.
Total, public well being’s price range for fiscal yr 2022 elevated by 13%.
CARES funding has expired for Web page County’s bills though Erdman mentioned FEMA might supply some help. It’s unknown when FEMA funding help will finish.
Erdman mentioned state officers have mentioned extra funding for public well being might occur. Funds will strictly be for administering COVID-19 vaccines.
Morris mentioned the general public well being division has been on the “epicenter” of COVID-19 for the reason that worldwide ailment hit Web page County in March. Erdman mentioned work hours and additional time have sharply risen amongst her employees. There have been instances when staff work seven days straight.
“We’re blessed to have devoted staff spending that a lot time,” Morris mentioned.
Morris mentioned Nordyke has had discussions about sharing agreements between public well being and hospitals in Clarinda and Shenandoah. No feedback have been comprised of Erdman or public well being board members who attended the assembly by Zoom.
Erdman is hoping the second part of vaccine administration will start no later than Feb. 1. There could also be extra vaccines accessible by then. She mentioned the Facilities for Illness Management counsel these no less than 65 years previous ought to obtain the COVID-19 vaccine. Iowa will preserve its age minimal at 75.
“In the event you add these 10 years that’s an additional 2 million folks we don’t have the capability to vaccinate shortly,” Erdman mentioned.
Along with these age 75 and older, vaccines can even be recommended for legislation enforcement, firefighters, social employees and faculty lecturers.
Erdman mentioned there was dialogue of offering vaccines for these 18-64 with underlying well being points and people within the court docket system. Morris requested about religion leaders who’ve been prevented from seeing folks in long-term care facilities.
“That’s been some heavy dialogue,” Erdman mentioned about state officers.
There aren’t any locations in Web page County that may retailer the Pfizer vaccine that requires extraordinarily chilly temperatures. Web page County’s first vaccine cargo was from Moderna. Different corporations’ vaccines are anticipated to be accessible within the close to future.
Supervisor Jacob Holmes requested about VA clinics and the vaccine. Well being division employees member Brandy Powers mentioned the VA clinic in Shenandoah can schedule vaccination appointments in Omaha, Nebraska, no matter age, well being standing, so long as they meet different necessities.
