By: Donovan W. Mann — donovanm@977thebolt.com
Dakota City, IA — Humboldt County Public Health is providing a reminder of the COVID-19 procedures when a positive case and contact tracing occurs.
During a recent meeting of the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors the board heard from Humboldt County Public Health Director Joleen Sernett and Humboldt County Memorial Hospital CEO Michelle Sleiter. Both were present at the request of Supervisor Bruce Reimers to address concerns he’s heard about contact tracing and exposure.
Sernett says that Humboldt County continues to do its own contact tracing. She says they do the “investigation questions” when a positive case occurs. Public Health goes back 48 hours from the positive test result for asymptomatic individuals or 48 hours from the start of symptoms. Those who were considered to be in “close contact” and exposed to a positive individual are asked to enter a 14 day quarantine.
The director of public health did mention one exception pertaining to essential workers and exposure. If someone who is considered an essential worker is exposed they are given a green light by public health to keep going into work unless they begin to show symptoms. However there is the expectation they will follow precautions to avoid further spread including masks, social distancing and not going anywhere else other than work and home. The place of work also can require the employee to not come to work.
Sleiter says that Humboldt County is in the same boat as a lot of Iowa counties in terms of continued case increases. She says “we are at a critical point” and hopes that quicker testing and quarantines will help slow down the spread in the county.
Humboldt County Public Health and HCMH continue to encourage social distancing, staying home when sick and face coverings as a way to help limit the spread of COVID-19.