By: Donovan W. Mann – [email protected]
Humboldt, IA – Humboldt County Memorial Hospital’s CEO Michelle Sleiter is addressing the increase in COVID-19 cases in Humboldt County and positivity rate that has the county ranked near the top in the state.
As of August 10, 2020, at 1:00pm, Humboldt County has 27 active cases of COVID-19 with 86 cases recovered. Throughout this COVID-19 pandemic, we have had a total of 113 positive cases. This is an 8.6% positivity rate for the 1,311 individuals that have been tested or 1.18% of our total estimated population.
Our providers in Humboldt County are working together to evaluate and test our patients according to the guidelines set forth by the Iowa Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control. We are actively testing symptomatic patients through multiple avenues. This includes a rapid test which takes approximately 15 minutes, an in-house test which takes approximately 1 hour or by sending samples out to a reference lab or the state hygienic lab which takes approximately 24-48 hours. Our providers follow a protocol based on patient presentation, symptoms and provider judgement to determine which route is to be used. We continue to monitor our kit samples on a daily basis to ensure we are able to provide each of these avenues to our providers and patients.
Based on our availability of samples and recommendations of the IDPH and CDC, we have not been testing asymptomatic patients. We continue to see and care for those with symptoms and recommend those without symptoms to seek Test Iowa site locations for testing. Today, the closest location to Humboldt County is Storm Lake with Test Iowa Clinics in Algona and Clarion.
In Humboldt County, we have the benefit of having our local Public Health as part of the hospital. We are able to work together to determine the best laid plans for not only the hospital but for the community. We are working hand in hand with UnityPoint Clinic Humboldt and feel we have one of the best teams around to continue to fight this fight.
We are also working closely with our local school district as we continue to monitor our active cases and provide them with the support, data and current guidelines to ensure a safe return to learn environment.
For up to date information, please visit humboldthospital.org.