Fort Madison DuPont facility producing hand sanitizer for area health care providers and businesses
BY CHUCK VANDENBERG
PCC EDITOR
JOHNSTON - State health officials are issuing a ramped up personal protection equipment shortage order.
During Gov. Kim Reynolds' daily presser from the state's Emergency Operations Center in Johnston, Sarah Reisetter, the deputy director of the Iowa Department of Public Health issues a stark warning about the supplies available.
"Unfortunately were in a position like many states and countries and were preparing for a time when we might not have enough of these supplies," Reisetter said.
The order requires all providers to work with the IDPH to assess, monitor, and extend use of PPE and is based on guidance from CDC. She said the order applies to all health care provides and medical response organizations in the state.
One of the most glaring recommendations issues, in the event that demand does eventually outpace supply is to send patients with COVID-19 home if they are medically "stable". The order would also call for patients to cover their mouths and noses with something other than surgical facesmasks.
"We understand the issuance of this order may be unsettling, but due to global shortages, we've determined that now is the time to take this action," Reisetter said.
Fort Madison DuPont Plant Manager John Hellige said DuPont has been producing hand sanitizer and distributing it locally, but will expand upon that in the near future.
“For over 80 years, the DuPont Fort Madison plant has called this community and the surrounding Lee County home. The health, safety and well-being of our employees, customers and our local community continue to be our top priority during this unprecedented time," Hellige wrote in a statement Friday.
“I am so proud of our DuPont Fort Madison colleagues who have stepped up to answer the call by converting some of our manufacturing lines to produce and distribute hand sanitizer as a way to combat the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
“The site utilized a recipe provided by the World Health Organization to develop a process for production of hand sanitizer to support area hospitals, small businesses and community organizations. So far, more than 150 gallons of hand sanitizer have been produced and delivered in the community. We are all in this together, and the Fort Madison site is proud and humbled to assist in delivering essential materials to those who are most in need.”
Reynolds said the state is continuing to request supplies from all sources including the federal government, but the national stockpile is essentially depleted and so Iowans need to look internally to supplement supplies for those in greatest need.
She said the order also serves to create additional awareness about the shortage and need so Iowans continue to follow guidelines for individual responsibilities as well as creating a sense of urgency with manufacturers who can and are producing facemasks and shields, hand sanitizers and other PPE supplies.
In the past 24 hours there have been 118 new positives in the state bringing the total to 1,388. Eight-one of Iowa's 99 counties now have at least one positive case. There were 862 negative tests confirmed for a total of 14,565 and the State Hygienic Lab has just under 2,000 tests available.
There are currently 119 hospitalized including 39 in the southeast Iowa region. There were also two more deaths out of Linn County for a total of 31 deaths in Iowa.
Reynolds also reminded people that food insecurity in the state is an unintended consequence of the disease and volunteers and are needed to help keep Iowa families fed.
Reynolds said those who are not compromised either by underlying conditions or exposure should consider volunteering to help get meals ready locally. She said volunteer opportunities can be found at the following link: https://coronavirus.iowa.gov/
Reynolds has created a new task force called the Feeding Iowans Task Force, headed up by Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg to focus on a commitment to feed Iowa families during the outbreak.
Reynolds said additional funding for Iowa's food banks came from the CARES Act, but local contributors such as restaurants and grocery stores are having a hard time making the same level of harvested contributions as they had prior to the COVID-19 outbreak.
According to IDPH, the locations and age ranges of the 118 individuals include:
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