With both Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccinations now in Iowa, the Washington County Public Health Department is awaiting vaccine administration approval from the federal government and the Disease Advisory Committee. The department will follow the statewide standing order for COVID-19 vaccination issued in December. The order was reviewed at the monthly board meeting on Thursday, Dec. 17, where it learned health services in the county will receive the Moderna vaccine, which is easier to store than the Pfizer one.

The department is also planning to meet the federal priorities starting with front-line health care providers and permanent care facility residents, followed by Phase 1B which is front-line essential workers and persons 75 and older, as recommended by the CDC.

In a related matter, the board approved a Home Quarantine and Isolation Order that, pending review by the county attorney, will be presented to the Board of Supervisors for final approval. The proposed order was the single item at an hour-and-a-half work session on Dec. 10 where members expressed concerns about confining an individual to his or her home. It was noted that walking alone down a gravel road near one’s property, or even on one’s property, with no contact with another person would still be keeping quarantine and isolation.

There also were questions raised about involuntary hospitalization of an infected person, as well as consequences for non-compliance with the order that included penalties such as charges and fines and possible jail time with provisions for an appeal.

Questions were raised about enforcement since the board does not have the personnel to physical monitor a quarantined individual daily. Instead, there would be contact via electronic means.

Washington County Public Health Director Danielle Pettit-Majewski noted the ordinance has never been invoked against a county resident and she and the board members expressed the hope it never would have to be.   

The county court requires review by an executive committee before being served. The committee currently consists of the Board Chairman Cathy Buffington and board member Dr. Trevor Martin, before being served. There was agreement that a medical professional should always be one of the two members. Because it was a work session, no formal action was taken.

In other business on Dec. 17, the board:

• received an update about English River Meats in Wellman, who had received cease and desist orders served to Alan Christianen and Kenneth Drozd in Wellman, regarding reduced oxygen packaging and smoking of fish and cheese. The two areas are under control of Public Health. The issue involved lack of licenses or inspections;

• sent a cease and desist order to Jan/Benito Viverose of Smoker Meat Sales, also in Wellman, Nov. 23, for having no license to operate.  It was noted the operation was at his apartment;

• learned there are still shortages in the budget involving VA and Medicaid reimbursements, with $20,00 due from the former. There also have been higher costs in wages due to the additional hours that resulted from COVID-19;

• received an updated age on the Maternal Child and Adolescent Health Overview (MCAHO), a program that serves children in the county from birth to age two.  Programs include Health and Well Kids in Iowa (HAWKI), health insurance, developmental screenings, vision screenings, lead position prevention, I-Smile and several referral and consultant services as well as immunization clinics;

• reviewed and approved the budget for 2021-22, showing that country supports will be 52%, down from 53% for the current fiscal year; and

• set January 21, 2021 for the next meeting.