City of Perry Encourages Citizens to Continue Following Public Health Guidance
The Iowa Department of Public Health recently announced an outbreak at the Tyson Foods plant in Perry. 730 employees tested positive for COVID-19 after mass surveillance testing efforts in April. The Perry community appreciates the work of the Tyson Foods employees and all essential workers for their dedication to providing for the needs of Perry and the rest of the country.
The City of Perry encourages all residents to continue practicing physical distancing and other public health recommendations to slow the spread of the virus.
“Protecting the health and wellbeing of our residents is of the highest priority,” said Mayor John Andorf “We are asking everyone to do their part by continuing to practice physical distancing and other public health recommendations to slow the spread of the virus.” All residents are strongly encouraged to follow these recommendations:
Continue to stay home as much as possible. Leave only for essential errands like groceries or getting medication. When you run these errands, send only one person from the household, if possible.
Stay home when even mildly ill (the kind of illness that normally wouldn’t prevent you from your everyday activities)
Limit social gatherings to only members of the same household who reside together.
Call your doctor if you develop symptoms such as a cough, fever, or shortness of breath, and have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19.
Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow/upper arm.
Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Wear a facial mask when making essential trips where distancing is not possible.
Maintain a 6-foot distance from people outside your household.
COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Information
The City of Perry is working with local, state and federal partners to keep the community informed about COVID-19, a novel coronavirus. Prevention of COVID-19 is the same as that for other respiratory illnesses (like flu). These actions don’t just protect you. They help keep the whole community safe, especially our most vulnerable residents, by slowing the spread of the disease.
This page will be updated with news and resources as more information becomes available. You may also wish to subscribe to the City’s Public Service Announcements or join the City's Text Club by texting "H484" to 36000 to receive updates on City matters.
Community Mask Campaign #weareperry
Community members from the Perry area have come together to help supply medical personnel with PPE over the last few weeks with hundreds of donations to Dallas County Hospital, retirement homes and Dallas County EMS. Community members have now raised funds to purchase 6,000 masks that will be distributed to Perry residents at no cost. A committee comprised of Mike Thomason, Lynsi Pasutti, Eddie Diaz and Sven Peterson organized a fundraising effort that led to the purchase of 6,000 masks from Perry business TC&B Corporate Wearables. The masks will be distributed at the following locations and times:
Saturday, April 18, 2020: Fareway parking lot 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Sunday, April 19, 2020: Hy-Vee parking lot 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Monday, April 20, 2020: Perry Elementary and Perry High School 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Monday, April 20, 2020: Perry Public Library 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Tuesday, April 21, 2020: Perry Food Pantry 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Mike Thomason, Director of Dallas County EMS, communicated that “COVID-19 is spread through droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks. Mask help catch these droplets to help stop the transmission. Perry Chamber of Commerce Director Lynsi Pasutti communicated “We understand that this is not 100% effective to stop transmission but it is helpful when paired with other measures.” This call to action is less about protecting the individual wearing it and more about protecting others. If everyone does their part, together we can. The committee members would like to thank the City of Perry, Osmundson Manufacturing, and DMACC for their generous support as well as TC&B Corporate Wearables for their innovative transition to manufacturing masks. Community members are encouraged to visit the CDC website for more guidance on the use of cloth masks and to post pictures in support of this campaign using the hashtag #weareperry.
Changes to City Operations - Updated 05/19/2021
Perry Public Library The Perry Public Library is open limited hours: Monday through Thursday from 10 am to 7 pm, Friday from 10 am to 6 pm and Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm. Limited computer use is available. Please consult the homepage at www.perry.lib.ia.us to make a request for curbside service. Or you can call the Library at 515-465-3569. At this time we are encouraging our patrons to use our website, www.perry.lib.ia.us, and the tools and resources available there, including eBooks and eAudiobooks, streaming video, digital learning tools, and more.
Parks and Recreation Department The McCreary Community Building is fully open to the public. If you have questions for the Parks and Recreation Department, please call us at 515-465-5621.
City Hall City Hall is fully open to the public. However, payments may be mailed in for City of Perry bills. If you need to apply for a building permit, schedule an inspection, or contact the Building Official, please Click Here. For other City Hall related business please call 515-465-2481.
Perry Water Works The Perry Water Works drive-thru window will reopen on Monday, June 28, 2021. Only cash and checks will be accepted in the drive-thru. Credit/debit cards can be used online at www.perryia.org or over the phone at 515-465-2562. A printed bill MUST accompany all in-person payments. If a bill is lost, it can be printed from perryia.org or call Perry Water Works at 515-465-2562 (option 5 or 6) to have a duplicate mailed BEFORE coming to the office.
COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Information
What is COVID-19? COVID-19 is a respiratory disease which has now spread to the U.S. It is mild for most people, but can cause severe illness and result in death for some. Older adults and people with chronic medical conditions, such as heart disease or diabetes, have the greatest risk of becoming severely ill. There is no vaccine and no medications approved to treat COVID-19 at this time.
How it Spreads COVID-19 spreads from person to person, mainly through coughs and sneeze or infected people who are in close contact.
Take Precautionary Measures The Iowa Department of Public Health is recommending that Iowans follow simple daily precautions similar to those which prevent the spread of other respiratory illnesses such as influenza. They are:
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
Stay home when you are sick.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces by using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol.
If you are experiencing symptoms such as a fever, cough or difficulty breathing, and have traveled to an area with widespread COVID-19 transmission or otherwise feel you may have been exposed, please CALL your healthcare provider.
COVID-19 Symptoms If you suspect you are infected with COVID-19, call ahead before visiting a medical facility so they can prepare. Do not go to an emergency room with mild symptoms.
The symptoms of COVID-19 are:
fever
cough
shortness of breath
Call your doctor right away if you experience these symptoms and have:
been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19, or
recently traveled from an area with ongoing community spread
Stay Informed Avoid misinformation by following the following trusted sources:
The State of Iowa has opened its 211 hotlineas the central resource for those with questions.
The Iowa Department of Public Health provides up-to-date information regarding this virus on its website, as well as guidance for businesses, schools, healthcare, long-term care, general public and travelers.
The Center for Disease Control has a dedicated summary of the virus, including symptoms, risk assessment and preventative measures.
Make a Plan It is important for residents to prepare for the potential of COVID-19 in the same way they prepare for severe weather or other events that could disrupt their normal routine.
Make a plan and discuss it with your family. What would you do if you could not go to work or school because of illness? What if your daycare provider was ill? How would you get groceries if you were ill? These are all questions to consider.
It is normal to be concerned about a new virus. Being uncertain and anxious about COVID-19 is normal, especially with reports of illness and death. The City of Perry is dedicated to the heal, safety and welfare of our residents and visitors. This page will be updated to reflect changes based on the most current information available.