The Calhoun County area has some of the lowest COVID-19 positive cases in the state, and a physician with Stewart Memorial Community Hospital (SMCH) and McRary Rost Clinics, Dr. Margaret Vitiritto, says we may be misjudging the pandemic based on the images seen from larger cities.
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Although there has been a loosening of restrictions in Iowa, Vitiritto says that does not mean we should abandon mitigation measures.
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Vitiritto also points out that although they have low positive numbers, they have not been conducting as many tests because they are following the protocols put in place by the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH). To protect residents, patients and staff, visitation is still restricted at the hospital, they are screening people at the doors to their facilities and utilizing telehealth as much as possible. Vitiritto says one of the factors of COVID-19’s widespread propagation is the fact that many people may be asymptomatic altogether, or at least at the onset.
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She stresses that you simply cannot tell if someone has the virus by looking at them and that is why physical distancing and mask wearing are so important to help stem the spread. Vitiritto says Stewart Memorial and the clinics are taking a gradual and tiered approach to reintroducing suspended services. They are encouraging people who are well and can move a routine appointment or procedure out a few weeks to do so. Over time, they are going to gradually increase access to the clinic and in-person appointments. However, from here on out, they will be practicing different levels of preventative measures because this virus is probably not going to go away. In fact, Vitiritto says that although she was a bit skeptical of services like telehealth at first, it has actually worked quite well for most patients. This is one type of measure she sees being utilized more and more into the future. Anyone having a procedure done will be required to have a COVID-19 test about three days prior and then must self-isolate at home until their procedure date. Dr. Vitiritto adds as she looks at the numbers reported by the IDPH at coronavirus.iowa.gov, she sees the potential for an outbreak anywhere.
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A link to the full interview with Dr. Vitiritto can be found below.
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Link to full interview with Dr. Margaret Vitiritto: https://www.1380kcim.com/episode/kcim-interview-dr-margret-vitiritto/