On Friday, February 5th, the Governor of Iowa issued an update to the proclamation of Disaster Emergency, removing key COVID-19 safeguards and enhanced prevention measures. While this proclamation relieved the restrictions in place regarding mask wearing, social distancing and gathering limitations, it continues to encourage businesses and those gathering publicly to social distance, practice increased hygiene and implement other public health measures to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission.
Throughout the pandemic Black Hawk County Public Health, MercyOne, Peoples Community Health Clinic and UnityPoint Health have reviewed guidance and advocated
for these practices in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. We continue to do so and continue to adhere to the more restrictive safety protocols in an effort to ensure the protection of our staff and the people and communities we serve. While mitigation efforts have been positive, and the number of hospitalized Iowans is
down, our work is not yet complete. To this end, we are issuing a joint request that people in our communities and businesses continue to wear a mask, to observe proper social distancing and to continue hand washing activities, as these measures remain critical towards reducing the transmission of COVID-19. We also strongly recommend that when you are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, that you do so.
Black Hawk County Public Health, MercyOne, Peoples Community Health Clinic and UnityPoint Health and recognize the sacrifices our community has made during the pandemic and ask the community to continue to adhere to the enhanced public health measures until such a time that COVID-19 spread is completely mitigated.