Respiratory illness is once again spreading rapidly in the region, and Pella Regional Health Center is urging the public to get vaccinated for COVID-19 and to be cautious about their well-being.

In a statement released Thursday, Pella Regional Health Center administration expressed deep concern about the growing spread of COVID-19 and the surge in the delta variant in area communities. In addition, they are also experiencing a high volume of patients needing care for other reasons such as non-COVID respiratory illnesses, sprains/strains/breaks, wounds, allergic reactions and more.

According to the Iowa Department of Public Health, 183 south central Iowa hospital beds have COVID-19 patients, 44 of which are in intensive care. Both of those numbers match the tail end of the surge this past winter.

Pella Regional urges the public to get a COVID-19 vaccine and practice prevention measures to ensure the local hospital is not overwhelmed and they can continue to offer timely, quality care to all their patients.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, the best way to prevent illness is to avoid exposure to this virus and get vaccinated if eligible.

From Pella Regional:
· Get a COVID-19 vaccine when it is available to you.

· Wear a mask to protect yourself and others and stop the spread of COVID-19 while indoors and in public in areas of high or substantial transmission.

· Clean your hands often, either with soap and water for 20 seconds or a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

· Stay at least 6 feet from others who you don’t live with you.

· Avoid crowds and poorly ventilated spaces.

· Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

· Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

· Clean frequently touched objects and surfaces daily. If someone is sick or has tested positive for COVID-19, disinfect frequently touched surfaces.

· Monitor your health daily.

Pella Regional’s Pharmacy on the Square offers the J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine on a walk-in basis to all who are eligible.