Siouxland District Health Department (SDHD) is the public health agency for Woodbury County. Public health promotes and protects the health of people and the communities where they live, learn, work, and play by trying to prevent people from getting sick or injured. Public health also promotes wellness by encouraging healthy behaviors.
CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) UPDATE
July 15, 2020
COVID-19 data are reported as accurately as we have available. Data are updated as we receive information that is more complete and is subject to change.
These are the tests that have been completed on Woodbury County residents only. Many of the tests completed at medical facilities located in Woodbury County are for residents of other counties that come here for medical care, but those numbers are not reflected here.
Total hospitalizations is a total count over time of hospital admissions, not current admissions, and includes those also listed as hospitalized and discharged. The hospitalization info SDHD reports each day is intended to give a picture into the severity of COVID-19 in the community. By showing total hospitalizations, the public can see how many of our total cases ended up being admitted to the hospital. The total number of discharges is given because we’ve gotten feedback from the public that they like to see people recovering and leaving the hospital.
The two hospitalization data points that we report should be looked at separately, and not be used to try to determine a current admissions number for Woodbury County residents due to the potential varying outcomes for people that have been hospitalized. For example, some people have been admitted to the hospital more than once during their illness, but they are only counted once in total hospitalizations and discharges because they are still just one case. Some people in the hospital have been transferred to other facilities and others have passed away while hospitalized and, therefore, never been discharged. All of these situations affect the numbers and the difference between the two. So, the numbers we are reporting for hospitalizations are not intended to be used to determine how many Woodbury County residents are currently in the hospital.
Total recovered includes cases that have either met the criteria for no longer needing isolation and public health monitoring, OR that have had at least 28 days pass since their diagnosis. The recovery criteria are set by the CDC and include:
- No fever for at least 72 hours (that is three full days of no fever without the use of medicine that reduces fevers) AND
- Other symptoms have improved (for example, when cough or shortness of breath have improved) AND
- At least ten days have passed since symptoms first appeared. (Updated 6/30/20)
These timeframes are based on the time of symptoms starting, NOT of receiving a positive test. Negative tests are generally NOT required to be released from isolation.
Iowa Cases: Iowa Department of Public Health is updating number of cases regularly on their website. View a map on their site for number of cases by county.
VIEW MORE INFO ON OUR COVID-19 PAGE
Includes: Information for businesses, links to video updates, CDC and IDPH pages, general info, and much more!
Siouxland District Health Department
Services During COVID-19 Disaster Declaration
The public health of our community is of great importance to Siouxland District Health Department, so SDHD is striving to maintain a high level of service while doing our best to keep our staff and the community safe. SDHD employees continue to report to work and provide services; however, many of our services have been modified or suspended during the state public health disaster declaration.
Our doors remain open at this time, but anyone entering the building is screened at the door, including a temperature check, and the number of people allowed in for a single appointment is limited. Many services are only available by appointment; please see below for further information about specific services.
WIC
WIC remains open for all services and we are taking new clients. We are no longer seeing clients in person.
We can complete all types of appointments over the phone or telehealth (facetime, Signal, or Zoom), including new applications. We know during these difficult times, our services may be more needed than ever and we are here for families.
We encourage those with questions to call 712-279-6636.
Maternal Child Adolescent Health Programs
I-Smile: Per IDPH directives, I-Smile is not providing direct oral health services including oral health screenings and sealants. I-Smile continues to provide help finding oral health services for clients.
We can provide other services over the phone. This includes Hawk-I and Medicaid presumptive eligibility applications and Maternal Health.
Call 279-6119.
Clinic Services
Childhood immunization services: To limit the spread of COVID-19 we are currently providing immunization services to a very targeted population.
Adult travel immunization services: To limit the spread of COVID-19 we have temporarily delayed services until further notice.
Tuberculosis services: To limit the spread of COVID-19 we have temporarily delayed non-essential services until further notice.
Health Maintenance services: We will continue to provide limited services to our existing health maintenance clients but we are reducing the number of visits and increasing the amount of medications we dispense and/or help set up to reduce clinic visits. Our goal is to maintain the health of our community while reducing the potential spread of COVID-19 to our clients and staff.
HOPES Program
HOPES Visits are still being conducted but will be done virtually via video conferencing.
HOPES workers have been calling their families and doing these visits virtually with all of their families since April 8, 2020. If you have not heard from your worker please text or call her to set up your next virtual home visit.
Personal Care/Homemaker Services
Services are continuing to be provided. Each offered service is being prioritized at this time and there are some limitations. We will continue to evaluate the needs of our clients day to day and case by case. Our goal is to keep everyone safe and well.
Laboratory Services
Water testing: We are continuing to provide water testing for public supplies. Private well water samples can still be tested but SDHD is no longer going to homes to collect samples as part of the Well Water Grant available in Woodbury County. If you have any water testing questions, please call 712-279-6119.
STD Testing & Services: The laboratory is providing very limited STD services at this time. Testing is no longer being provided in our facility. Treatment may be provided but only in special circumstances. We encourage anyone who needs testing to contact their healthcare provider. No walk in services provided. For any questions, please call 712-234-3908.
Lead Testing: The laboratory is not providing lead testing at this time, unless it is urgent. No walk in services provided. Please call 712-234-3908 for any questions.
DNA testing: Testing to be done by appointment only. Please call 712-234-3908 for any questions. Company phone numbers are listed under the DNA testing section of our website.
Environmental Health, Permits, and Inspections
Private well water: Private well water sample collection for the Grants to Counties program is being done. Call 712-234-3908 to begin the process.
Food and lodging establishment licenses: Food license renewal can be completed online at https://iowa.usasafeinspect.com/.
License applications are also available on our website at http://www.siouxlanddistricthealth.org/component/content/article/4-a-z-search/220-retail-food-establishments.html?directory=87. These can be completed and mailed in along with the appropriate license fee.
Please call 712-234-3906 with questions about completing a food or lodging application.
Well and septic system permitting: License applications and other forms and information are available on our website at http://www.siouxlanddistricthealth.org/forms/cat_view/12-private-well-a-septic-system-applications.html . These can be completed and mailed in along with the appropriate fee.
Siouxland District Board of Health Vacancy
Move Your Way CampaignSM
Siouxland District Health Department has been selected as one of eight communities from across the nation, to pilot the Move Your Way Campaign SM over the next nine months. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services created the Move Your Way campaign to promote the second edition of the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. It aims to help people understand how much physical activity they need to be healthy and how to fit it into their daily lives.
The campaign has videos, fact sheets, posters, and interactive tools in English and Spanish that are free and easy to use and distribute. These materials promote friendly, practical key messages, like “lots of things count as physical activity” and “it all adds up!”
For more information on our Move Your Way campaign efforts, click here.
Information on the Move Your Way Disc Golf Challenge:
