NUMBERS DROPPING
City hears good news as virus cases decrease.
Eastern Idaho Public Health Director Geri Rackow led the evening’s COVID-19 at the Salmon City Council’s February 17 meeting. She said the news is positive as the number of cases throughout the entire district continue to decline. The process of vaccinating residents also continues to go well except for the glitch the weather has thrown into the mix.
Rackow said she had just received word from the state that because of the severe weather across the nation vaccine supplies are going to be delayed this week. She said fortunately the over 200 scheduled vaccinations in Salmon did take place that day, February 17. It was held at the Elks Lodge and she thanked the lodge for the accommodations.
From now on however, there may be shipping delays. She said the health district will keep people apprised as to any changes in next week’s schedule. It will probably be Monday, February 22, before any changes are known.
The schedule for next week, the week of the 22nd, is a busy one with a day and a half clinic for first and second dose patients. She thanked the staff that is working hard to make that happen.
Chief Executive Officer of Steel Memorial Medical Center, Jeanie Gentry said fewer people are coming to the hospital for tests and there are very few in-patients. She also noted a decrease in flu cases for this time of year and attributed it to the COVID-19 precautions being taken.
Councilor Jim Baker asked if a percentage is known related to those taking the vaccination and those declining a shot. Gentry said about 40 percent of the staff chose to wait until later to be vaccinated for all sorts of reasons including being a guinea pig. She said no one is forced to take the vaccine.
Councilor Jim Bockelman asked what is done with any left-over doses and Rackow said that does happen due to various reasons including weather. She said in that situation the staff does its best to contact the next person on the waiting list and so far, no doses have been wasted.
Rackow said that throughout the district people who had originally declined the vaccination are now, after seeing no adverse reactions among friends, stepping forward to take the vaccine. She encouraged every eligible person in Salmon to get on the waiting list.
The numbers to call to make a vaccination appointment or to get on the waiting list are; 208-533-3223 or the toll-free number 855-533-3160 option number 5. All appointment scheduling is being done through the Idaho Falls Public Health Office. You can also visit the District 7 Public Health Department web site, fill out the form online and call the numbers listed there.