Winneshiek County Public Health will use CARES funds to buy personal protective equipment

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds recently announced that around $3 million in CARES Act funds received by the State of Iowa would be distributed to public health departments in all 99 Iowa counties.  The money came with one condition—the money has to be spent by December 30th.

That sent local health departments scrambling.  In Winneshiek County, the County Health Nursing Service learned it would be receiving just over $19,000.  It spent $6,600 on hand sanitizers, sanitizing stands and tables and other related supplies.  That left roughly $12,000 left to spend, so members of the County Health Board have been asked their opinions about the most appropriate purchases.

That explains why Winneshiek County will be purchasing HALO personal protective equipment which will be used by all county nurses as they conduct visits to people with COVID-19 and in other conditions in which exposure might be an issue.  The nurses have been taking precautions already, but the HALO system is a little bit "pricey," but definitely an upgrade.  The CARES funds will pay for equipment for ten nurses and for backup equipment as well.  The "Clean Space" system will result in even better security for the nurses.