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From test clinics to shot clinics

Subhead
Health professionals work diligently to end pandemic
Lead Summary
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By
Lori Sorenson

Grand Prairie Events, Luverne, served as a staging area for COVID-19 response Wednesday, Feb. 3.
The setup was similar to the COVID-19 testing clinic the facility hosted in October — cones and signs directed traffic, carefully placed chairs kept people six feet apart, and health professionals with medical supplies were stationed at tables around the large conference room.
And everyone was wearing masks, just like the October event.
This time, though, the community clinic was set up to offer the COVID-19 vaccine to individuals who filled the 300 appointment slots for the day.
The lines were long — sometimes with people waiting outside — and there were some slowdowns at registration tables, but no one complained.
Most people who received their shots were happy to be finally getting some protection against the virus that's sickened and taken the lives of so many in the area.
Marcia Moeller said she looks forward to having some protection from the vaccine so she can see her children and grandchildren again.
They risked a holiday gathering after some had already had the virus and others tested negative. Moeller said she saw them only that one time since the pandemic began nearly a year ago.
“I haven’t done anything,” she said. “We don’t go to church. We don’t go to Sioux Falls. We don’t go anywhere. I’ve been to the grocery store, and that’s about it.”
Laurin Carroll, 82, said he looks forward to life after pandemic.
“It’s a relief to get the shot,” said Laurin Carroll, 82. “We stay home all the time … the grocery store is it.”
Marlene Wassenaar, 82, normally spends winters with family in Arizona, but she didn’t go this year because of the pandemic.
“All the activities are canceled, so you can’t do anything down there,” she said. “So I might as well sit here as sit there.”
Also, she knows it isn’t safe to travel.  “I’m glad to get the shot, because I didn’t really want to get the COVID either,” Wassenaar said.
Bill and Judy Miller, also both in their 80s, contracted COVID-19 in November, but they’re seeking extra protection that comes with the vaccine.
“I just hope we can rid of it and get this country back to normal,” Bill said.
 
Life after the pandemic?
Jason Kloss of Southwest Health and Human Services said the Feb. 3 clinic was a step toward life without COVID-19.
“SWHHS and our partners have been working diligently in COVID response since the beginning of the pandemic, but providing this vaccine to the public is what we have all been working toward,” he said.
“[We] were thrilled to offer the vaccine to our senior population.”.
The Feb. 3 vaccination clinic was primarily staffed by employees of SWHHS — 17 staff members, which included about 10 licensed nurses, some of whom have been hired on a temporary basis to help with vaccination clinics.
County Administrator Kyle Oldre assisted as the local emergency management director. Deputy Craig Martinson assisted, as did retired nurse Karen Roberts, who volunteered to help with clinic operations.     
Kloss said as vaccine supplies increase, the plan is to offer more clinics to wider age groups.
“It won't happen overnight,” he said. “With these community clinics, combined with vaccination clinics that Sanford Luverne is doing, we hope to provide vaccination opportunities to those at higher risk for COVID-19 as quickly as possible.”
Tammy Loosbrock of Sanford Luverne said most of Sanford’s 85 and older local patients have been called.
“We encourage anyone that is 85 or older that lives in Rock County or doctors at the Adrian, Edgerton or Luverne clinics to call in and we will get them on the schedule,” Loosbrock said. 
“We are starting our 80- to 84 group this week.  We will be reaching out and calling them as we get vaccine to schedule, but if people in that group want to call in to ensure their name is on a wait list, they can sure call the clinic.”
 
Get on a list
Meanwhile, Southwest Health and Human Service is taking names and contact information for those interested in getting the COVID vaccine.
To register, go to swmhhs.com and click on the COVID List Link.
As of Feb. 6, more than 12 percent of Rock County’s population had been vaccinated. This is according to the Minnesota Department of Health COVID-19 dashboard, which is about a week behind actual numbers.
The majority of people in Phase 1a have been vaccinated and Phase 1b is underway.
Phase 1a includes health care workers, EMS, nursing home and assisted living facility staff and residents, dental offices, pharmacies, mental/behavioral health settings, school nurses, funeral directors, correctional settings, and group homes settings.
Phase 1b includes teachers, grocery store workers, fire, food processing, day care workers, correctional workers, public transit and postal workers, as well as the 75-and-older population.
Staff in education and child care settings will be contacted directly if selected to sign up for appointments for the vaccine at a state site or community pharmacy this week.
Local public health departments will partner directly with school and child care programs in their communities.

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