Supervisors hear about Belmond Test Iowa clinic

             Sandy McGrath updated the board on COVID-19 in Wright County. She noted that the county has seen an uptick in daily cases in the last week or two. McGrath said that in mid-July, Wright County COVID numbers had started to flatten but are now back at 4 to 6 per day, which moves the county from the “Minimal to Moderate” to the “Substantial Controlled” category. She said that this is likely due to group gatherings, which she still cautions people to avoid. The case count stood at 472 in Wright County as of Monday.

            McGrath also added that a new Test Iowa clinic site opened Monday in Belmond. The clinic is located at Iowa Specialty Hospital, 403 1st Street SE in Belmond. Regular testing hours will be Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to noon. Clinic sites are partnerships between the State of Iowa and local health care providers to increase access to testing in their communities. Individuals who wish to get tested at any site must first complete the online assessment at testiowa.com. You will then be directed to schedule an appointment.

            Wright County Engineer Adam Clemons updated the board on various road and bridge projects. The Bridge 125 replacement project was completed last week. The former bridge on 185th Street, west of Lake Cornelia, between Nelson Ave and R-45 was replaced with a metal pipe. This is just one of multiple bridges in the county that will undergo work this year. Clemons said that they are planning to do two to four more small-load rated bridges by year’s end.  He also added that yellow center line painting on roads started on Monday and will be completed throughout the entire county in the upcoming days.

            The board noted that they will vote next week about whether to grant Prestage a six-month extension on their employee commitment in order to receive a tax rebate.