(Audubon) Audubon County Public Health Director Bob Nelson on Thursday started a series of COVID-19 updates via the Audubon County Public Health Facebook page. At this time, there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Audubon County.
On March 16, Audubon County Health Officials opened the Emergency Operations Center and began tracking the coronavirus situation within the county. On March 17, the County Board of Supervisors signed an emergency declaration allowing the county to work closely with the State Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. The County Supervisors sent out a resource request to the state asking for more protective equipment for health care providers. “The Audubon County Memorial Hospital has been working diligently over the past several months preparing for a potential spread of the COVID-19 virus,” explained Nelson. “We have implemented our emergency response plan. We are prepared to care for patients with a confirmed or prospective diagnosis of the COVID-19 virus.”
Bob Nelson stated the first responders, Audubon County Memorial Hospital, Audubon County Public Health, and Emergency Management Director Phil Mennenoh, are working together and sharing information. The hospital staff is working closely with public health officials and community partners to follow appropriate protocols. For example, health officials screen staff, visitors, and those seeking outpatient services before entering the building through the main entrance. Patients are encouraged to call ahead for screening for COVID-19.
“We encourage the public to use good hand hygiene, stay home if you’re ill and practice social distancing measures to control the spread of this virus within our community,” said Mennenoh.
Meanwhile, the Audubon County Sheriff’s Office suspended all jail visitations, with limited public access to the Sheriff’s Office and courthouse.
The Audubon County Board of Supervisors has changed courthouse operations. Officials ask residents to do business by email, telephone, or dropbox—and in-person meetings by appointment only. Medicap Pharmacy is conducting regular hours with curbside pickup.
Nelson says anyone with symptoms of COVID-19; needs to call your health care provider first.
Audubon County Public Health will release notifications on a regular basis to the public.
