Rapid spread of Covid-19 continues; closures abound throughout the area

The coronavirus, Covid-19,  has continued to rapidly spread across the United States, Iowa, and specifically, our corner of Northeast Iowa. The number of Iowa residents who have tested positive for the new coronavirus had climbed to 105 as of Monday afternoon, March 23. Currently, there are six confirmed cases in Allamakee County. Three of those cases in Allamakee County are adults between the ages of 61 and 80; two between the ages of 18-40 and at least one between 41 and 60. There is also one confirmed case in Winneshiek County and another in Fayette County. Other counties with confirmed cases are as follows: Johnson County, 35 cases; Polk County, 12 cases; Dubuque County, six cases; Linn County, six cases; Dallas County, siz cases; Black Hawk County, three cases; Tama County, three cases; Harrison County, three cases; Muscatine County, three cases; Washington County, three cases; Hancock County, two cases; Cerro Gordo County, two cases; Woodbury, two cases; Pottawattamie County, two cases; Kossuth County, one case; Sioux County, one case; Carroll County, one case; Story County, one case; Poweshiek County, one case; Scott County, one case; Adair County, one case; and Henry County, one case. 

As of Wednesday, March 18, all 50 states have reported cases of coronavirus. New York, Washington, and California have reported the most cases.

According the Iowa Department of Health, most of the people infected in Iowa have been in their 40’s or older, but people in every age group have tested positive for the virus.

To stay up to date with the latest on the coronavirus in Iowa you can log on to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at CDC.gov/coronavirus, or call 211, the Iowa Department of Public Health’s Hotline, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Bars and restaurants closed

All area bars and restaurants are closed as Governor Kim Reynolds has declared the Coronavirus a Public Health Emergency. Carry-out service is available at the following places: Brick Oven Pizza & Eatery, Postville; Club 51, Postville; TJ’s Pizza, Clermont and Monona; MJ’s Bar & Grill, Monona;  Subway, Monona; Maggie’s Diner, McGregor; Old Man River, McGregor; St. Olaf Tavern; Quillin’s Grocery Store, Monona, also remains open.

Classes, all activities cancelled at Postville Community Schools

All classes and school activities have been suspended in the Postville Community School District until April 13, at which time the situation will be reevaluated. During this time there will not be any online learning. When the Board of Education meets on April 6, 2020, they will address the school calendar for the remainder of the school year. It has been announced that the days missed due to the pandemic will, more than likely, not have to be made up. All sporting events, drama and musical productions which had been scheduled during the closure, are also canceled.

Currently the school district is offering Grab and Go  Breakfasts and Lunches which can be picked up outside Cora B. Darling Elementary School. Breakfast pick-up time is 9-9:30 a.m. and lunch pick-up time is between 11:30 a.m. and noon. Meals are being handed out in groups of ten or less. Anyone having questions about the meals should email website@postville.k12.ia.us.

County closures

Allamakee County offices: Effective immediately and until further notice, Allamakee County has elected to close their offices to the public to limit the spread of COVID-19.  The goal is to protect the citizens and employees of Allamakee County from further spread of this virus.  Our employees will continue to work to perform essential county services. **Doors are unlocked and Clerk of Court offices in the courthouse are still open to the public** County office doors are locked. Please contact the appropriate Department by phone if you have questions regarding services. County Departments and phone numbers are available on the county website if you need to contact an office – Go to www.allamakee.us for this information.

Clayton County offices: Nearly all Clayton County offices are closed until further notice, though essential public services will continue. Appointments are required.

Law Enforcement Center and services will continue with extra protocols in place. Essential court proceedings are still taking place.

The Clayton County Board of Supervisors recommend suspending all public gatherings at this time.

Local area closings

More local businesses are closing their offices to the public which are related to the Covid-19  pandemic are printed here. As they change daily, sometimes more often, please check the Postville Herald website for any additional listings.

City of Postville: All offices are closed in an effort to protect the citizens and employees of Postville from further spread of the virus. City employees are working to perform essential City services. Anyone having questions may call the city offices at 563-864-7454. All utility payments may be placed in the city drop box.

Fidelity Bank and Trust: Regular lobby hours have been suspended at all branches until further notice. The drive up facility will be open regular house. All other banking services must be made by phoning ahead and making an appointment.

FreedomBank: All FreedomBank locations will provide services through the drive up window.

Postville Public Library: The Postville Public Library is closed until further notice.

Northeast Iowa Wellness and Recreation Center: The Center is closed until further notice.

Farmers Union Cooperative: All offices are closed to the public while services and business operations continue.

Postville Herald: The Postville Herald office in Postville is closed to the public until further notice. The newspaper will still be printed and mailed to all subscribers. Employees will answer and respond to both telephone (563-864-3333) and e-mail messages: Sharon Drahn sharon@postvilleherald.com; Nicole Vega neisales.MAP@gmail.com; Nadine Brock nadine@postvilleherald.com. News tips and submissions of any kind are greatly appreciated. The Postville Herald office will reopen once the danger of community spread of the COVID-19 virus has passed. 

Veterans Memorial Hospital, Waukon: All visitors restricted in an effort to stop the spread of Covid-19. Special exceptions will be made on a case to case basis.

NEIT Northeast Iowa Telephone: The NEIT office in Monona is closed to the public while services and business operations continue.

Luana Community and Recreation Center: The Center will be closed through at least March 31 following Gov. Kim Reynolds’ declaration of a Public Health Emergency .

Gundersen Health System: If you are sick, please call before going to office. One visitor (support person) is allowed per patient, per day for the entire hospitalization. Visitors must be ages 12 and older.

MercyOne Elkader Medical Center: No visitors are allowed. Exceptions may be made on a case to case basis.