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Coronavirus slows, stops area activities

City of Dysart:

The City of Dysart is working with local, state, and federal partners to keep our community informed about the coronavirus, also known as COVID-19.

The City is working to minimize exposure of City employees so that they can continue to provide essential services to our community. As such, we are taking the following steps:

The Dysart Community Building is closed to the public until April 8, 2020. The situation will be re-evaluated at that time.

Norma Anders Public Library is closed until further notice.

The ambulance building will no longer be open to the public. If you would like to make a payment on a bill, please mail it, or it can be dropped off at the building through the mail slot in the front door. Payment may also be made online through www.cityofdysartia.com. Community tours and CPR classes will also be suspended until further notice.

City Hall is closed to the public; however, City staff continues to work to serve your needs. Utility payments can be left in the drop box on the east side of the building, paid online at:

www.cityofdysartia.com, or sent by U.S. Mail. You can also sign up for ACH payments the form is available on our website.

Many forms, such as utility service application, building permit applications, and Community Building rental agreements, are available on our website.

Each City department is significantly increasing the frequency and scope of cleaning and sanitizing in accordance with their unique circumstances and level of use.

We encourage you to check the website and social media for cancellations and other notices.

We understand this may be an inconvenience to our citizens these precautions are being taken to reduce the risk and spread of infection. We will continue to monitor the situation, and to provide updates and guidance to our residents. If you have any questions concerning these steps, please don’t hesitate to contact us at 319-476-5690.

Dysart Ambulance Service:

Dysart Ambulance Service:

The Dysart Ambulance Service is working to minimize exposure to our volunteers and paid ambulance personnel in order to continue to provide essential ambulance services during the COVID-19 pandemic. In conjunction with the City of Dysart emergency plan, following CDC and Iowa Department of Public Health Guidelines for response to COVID-19.

Operations:

The ambulance building will no longer be open to the public. If you would like to make a payment on a bill, please mail it or it can be dropped off at the building through the mail slot in the front door. Payment may also be paid online through www.cityofdysart.com.

Community tours and CPR classes will also be suspended until further notice.

Patient Responses:

Any patient who has fever and/or respiratory distress who calls 9-1-1, will be screened by the Tama County 911 dispatch center using a series of specific questions that will be passed to ambulance personnel at the time of dispatch

Ambulance personnel will respond to all calls wearing face masks and gloves.

The patient will have a face mask placed on them if they have a fever, cough, muscle aches, flu-like symptoms and/or respiratory distress.

Patients may be asked to wear a face mask without fever and/or respiratory distress based on the EMT and Paramedic assessment

Non-life-threatening complaints may be asked to call their physicians and transport by private vehicle so we can ensure an ambulance is available in town for potential serious and critically ill patients.

We understand this a concerning time with fear of the unknown. Be assured we are taking these extra precautions to reduce the risk and spread of this disease within the community as well as to our vital EMS responders and their families. We are following all recommendations on disinfecting the ambulances and mitigating exposure. If you have questions concerning these steps please contact Julie 319-476-4911.

Union School District

Statement regarding the Coronavirus

March 11, 2020:

In light of the Iowa Board of Regents announcement that all state universities will move toward online course work following spring break, the Cedar Valley area school districts want to assure our families and communities that normal operations will continue for the foreseeable future.

While our overarching objective is to keep students and staff members safe, we also acknowledge that we have a social responsibility to ensure the continuity of education for our students. The Black Hawk County Health Department has asserted that the risk to students and staff is minimal at this time and they do not believe that the current situation warrants closing.

In the event that the Iowa Department of Public Health determines that there is a need for closure, or other action, the Black Hawk County Health Department and school district will coordinate to respond, and communicate additional information at that time.

Tama County Supervisors scheduled a special meeting for 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 18 to further make plans concerning the Corona Virus/COVID-19.

In an effort to protect the health of our customers and employees and an attempt to maintain continuity of operations and limit potential exposure due to the Corona Virus/COVID-19. The Tama County Administration Buildings and allll county facilities will still be conducting business although our exterior doors may be locked. People are encouraged to contact the respective county offices by telephone to conduct business until further notice. Business matters that require immediate attention will be attended to as is necessary. Thank you for your cooperation!

-Tama County Board of Supervisors

Public Health & Home Care

Tama County Public Health & Home Care will remain open with limited access due to the Public Health Emergency with COVID-19.

Please call our office at 641-484-4788 to make an appointment or ask questions.

Iowa Department of Human Services can be reached at 1-319-472-4746 or 1-888-480-0062

As districts, we are working to be proactive and preventative, while operating in a state of preparedness. We are in constant communication with the Black Hawk County Health Department, as well as the Iowa Department of Public Health. Moving forward, we will continue to partner with and follow the guidance of these agencies. For reference, the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus can be found via the Iowa Department of Public Health Coronavirus and the Centers for Disease Control Coronavirus.

The safety and well-being of our students and staff is always our top priority. We all have procedures in place as part of our district emergency operating plan[s] to handle situations regarding the spread of illness.

As stated before, to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, the CDC recommends the following actions: Frequently wash your hands for 20 seconds or more with soapy water. If unavailable, use hand sanitizer; avoid close contact with people who are sick; avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth; stay home when you are sick; cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash; clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

Please feel free to communicate with your local school district if you have any specific questions.

Travis Fleshner, Superintendent; Union Schools

-Posted in District News Slider