News and Press Releases
Health Department News
Health Department and Partners Expand COVID-19 Vaccination to Additional Healthcare Workers in Phase 1A
The Polk County Health Department will begin offering COVID-19 vaccinations to additional healthcare workers (working in Polk County) eligible for vaccination in Phase 1A beginning Monday, January 11, 2021.
Health Department News
Health Department reminds public COVID-19 vaccine phasing
The Polk County Health Department will like to remind the public that we are STILL in Phase 1A.
Health Department News
Health Department and Partners Expand COVID-19 Vaccination to Healthcare Workers in Phase 1A to Additional Groups
The Polk County Health Department will begin offering COVID-19 vaccinations to all healthcare workers eligible for vaccination in Phase 1A, beginning Monday, January 11, 2021. The vaccinations will be offered at the Polk County Health Department and select community pharmacies by appointment only.
Health Department News
Polk County Health Department Tentative COVID-19 Vaccine Timeline
Based on vaccine supply, this is a TENTATIVE TIMELINE on when we will see vaccine in our community for the following phases. Please note this is a fluid situation and can change at any time.
Health Department News
Polk County COVID-19 hospitalizations at all-time high
Today, Saturday, November 14, 2020, Polk County has 204 COVID-19 hospitalizations. This is the highest number of hospitalizations Polk County has seen throughout the pandemic. We cannot stress enough how alarming and urgent the situation has become for hospitals and their health care workers.
Health Department News
Health Department Plans for COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution in Polk County
Our COVID-19 frontline healthcare providers are receiving the vaccine after fighting the virus and protecting our community for nine long months. We will continue to do so until every healthcare worker in our hospitals, clinics and long-term care centers are vaccinated.
Health Department News
Health Department urges residents to make smart choices for Thanksgiving holiday
The past week has been terrifying for Polk County hospitals and healthcare providers. We have seen record breaking COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in Polk County and across the state. Healthcare workers are overwhelmed and metro hospitals have been leaning on rural hospitals to help treat patients. Public health officials project positive cases and hospitalizations will substantially increase after the Thanksgiving holiday.
Health Department News
Critical Polk County Hospital Public Announcement
We are coming together today to plea to our community to please help in our fight against COVID-19.
Health Department News
Drive up flu clinic closed for Veterans Day
November 9, 2020 In honor of Veterans Day, our drive up flu clinic will be closed Wednesday, November 11, 2020. We will reopen Thursday, November 12, 2020 at 9:00 AM.
Health Department News
Support Person Restriction Guideline Updates for Polk County Hospitals
UnityPoint Health – Des Moines, MercyOne – Des Moines and Broadlawns Medical Center maintain the current visitor restrictions for the safety of our patients and team members. However, we recognize the importance of having a support person available for a patient’s well-being. With some exceptions, one support person will be permitted to be with a patient per day during hours set by each hospital. This change will be effective Wednesday, October 14, 2020. NOTE: Hospitals may further restrict visitation in certain situations.
Health Department News
Health Department urges everyone six months and older to get their flu shot
Each year, flu season is unpredictable and severe. Some years, we have seen a mild flu season. . The truth is we have no idea what this year’s flu season will look like. What we do know is that possible to get the flu and COVID-19 at the same time.
Health Department News
City of Ankeny Offers Drive-thru Flu Shot Clinic
The Ankeny Fire Department, in partnership with the Polk County Health Department, will be offering a Drive-thru Flu Shot Clinic Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2020, 1 – 6 p.m. at Ankeny Fire Station Headquarters, 120 NW Ash Drive, Ankeny.
Health Department News
Health Department urges residents to take caution over Labor Day Weekend
Over the past weeks, we have seen an alarming increase of positive COVID-19 cases in the state. Cases in Polk County are still on the rise and do not show any signs of slowing down. As families get together and students come home from college, we strongly urge residents to celebrate Labor Day weekend with extreme precaution.
Health Department News
Recommendations for individuals who use oxygen and are without power
The recent storm has caused widespread power outages that affect a large number of people that use oxygen.
Health Department News
Visitor Restriction Guidelines for Polk County Hospitals
Due to significant increases in positive COVID-19 cases in Iowa, including Polk and Dallas Counties, the following visitor restriction policies have been put in place by Broadlawns Medical Center, MercyOne Des Moines and West Des Moines Medical Centers and UnityPoint Health – Des Moines.
Health Department News
Limited cooling centers in Polk County
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, many daytime cooling centers in Polk County are closed. There are public options including malls, stores and other businesses that people without air conditioning can visit to get temporary relief from the extreme heat.
Health Department News
Confirmed Surge of Positive COVID-19 Cases in Polk County
The Polk County Health Department continues to see an increase of positive COVID19 cases. We are seeing this trend with the younger population. With the surge in cases and the holiday weekend quickly approaching, we strongly urge residents to celebrate the Fourth of July with caution.
Health Department News
COVID-19 Cases on the Rise in Central Iowa: Increased Concern for Long Term Care Residents
Our country has seen an increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations over the past several weeks. The United States has experienced the highest case counts of the pandemic, over 40,000 cases in the past two days. Central Iowa is now following the same trend. Over the past seven days, our positive COVID-19 cases are on the rise again. Since the beginning of June, Polk County has been averaging around 50-55 cases a day. The seven-day trend has shown an increase of 20% of new cases reported in central Iowa. We are seeing community spread of COVID-19 as our community has re-opened.
Health Department News
COVID-19 Cases on the Rise in Central Iowa
Our country has seen an increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations over the past several weeks. Central Iowa is now following the same trend. Over the past seven days, our positive COVID-19 cases are on the rise again.
Health Department News
Infant Deaths on the Rise in Polk County
Over the past three months, infant deaths have been on the rise in Polk County. From April to June 2020, the Polk County Medical Examiner autopsied seven babies. Five out of the seven deaths occurred in unsafe sleep environments. This is a stark contrast from January to March 2020, where there was only one infant death related to natural disease.
Health Department News
New Visitor Restriction Guideline for All Polk County Health Systems
As we continue to work together to keep our patients, families and healthcare providers safe and healthy, the following new visitor restriction policies have been put in place by all metro health systems.
Health Department News
Polk County Medical Coordination Center Encourages Patients to Visit Healthcare Provider for Routine Health Needs
The Polk County Medical Coordination Center would like to remind our community that it is safe to schedule a visit with your medical provider for critical health visits or to seek care at the emergency room or urgent care.
Health Department News
Polk County Health Partners Requires Patients and Visitors to Wear Masks
The Polk County Medical Coordination Center is requiring all patients and visitors who are coming into hospitals and clinics to wear masks or homemade face cloths for appointments or visiting patients.
Health Department News
Message from the 211 medical triage call center
As our healthcare systems have now adjusted to the ongoing demands surrounding COVID-19 and we have seen the numbers to our 211 medical triage line decrease, we will be winding down that line on Friday, May 22, 2020.
Health Department News
Board of Health Advisory Committee Meeting Canceled for May
Board of Health Advisory Committee Meeting Scheduled: Friday, May 15, 2020, at 8:30 AM Has been CANCELLED due to the COVID 19 outbreak
Health Department News
Polk County Health Partners Asking Patients and Visitors to Wear Masks and Call 911 for Heart Attacks or Strokes
(Des Moines, IA) – The Polk County Medical Coordination Center is asking all patients and visitors who are coming into hospitals and clinics to wear masks or homemade face cloths for appointments or visiting patients.
Health Department News
Polk County Health Partners Provide Guidance for Personal Protective Equipment and Homemade Mask Donations (04-01-2020)
(Des Moines, IA) – The Polk County Medical Coordination Center would like to thank our community who has stepped up and donated personal protective equipment (PPE) for our healthcare staff, first responders and care facilities.