Subject: December Newsletter: Merry Christmas & Healthy New Year

Consider Getting COVID-19 Booster Vaccine

The most recent variant of the COVID-19 virus to reach Iowa is Omicron. Though Omicron is gathering a lot of attention lately, the Delta variant is still the dominant strain of COVID-19 circulating in our communities.

Clay County Public Health officials would like to remind the public that even though someone who is fully vaccinated may experience a mild breakthrough infection, vaccination continues to demonstrate they are effective in preventing serious disease, hospitalization or death. And that is our ultimate goal.

Booster doses, as well as first or second doses, are readily available locally. Clay County Public Health offers a Moderna clinic every Thursday afternoon. Patients of Avera Medical Group Spencer may receive a booster by appointment. All local pharmacies give COVID-19 vaccinations, as well.

COVID-19 Boosters

Navigating Cold & Flu Season: What Level of Care is Needed

Cold and flu season has arrived and with an increase in illness brings an increase of phones calls and visits to the Spencer Hospital Emergency Department. While it’s important for people to check with their local healthcare teams when they have concerns, it is also important for people, especially parents, to know what symptoms to look for and how they can help treat the illness at home.

Laura Manwarren, Director of the Spencer Hospital Emergency Department, talks about navigating cold and flu season and what level of care is needed for patients in her latest blog. To continue reading, please click the link below.

Cold & Flu Season

Lighten Up Your Holidays

This year, everyone is definitely looking for something to celebrate this holiday season. Celebration does not have to lead to holiday weight gain. With a little planning and preparation, you can savor the holidays and still manage to lighten up!

Spencer Hospital Registered Dietitian, Darlene DeWitt, shares insight to some healthy alternatives to combat potential weight gain this holiday season in her latest blog. To continue reading, please click the link below.

Light Up Your Holidays

Be Alert for Scam Calls that Appear as Avera Medical Group Spencer Number

Be on the alert for scam calls!

Management of Avera Medical Group Spencer has been alerted by the public that some people have received phone calls which appear to be from the clinic’s phone number; however, the call is not actually from clinic personnel. This practice is known as “spoofing,” which occurs when a person’s caller ID display shows a trusted phone number; however, scammers have manipulated the caller ID software.

If you are wary that the call is not legitimate, hang up and call the clinic directly, (712) 264-3500. Do not provide personal health, financial or identification information over the phone, unless you placed the phone call and know you reached the appropriate party.

Scam Calls

We All Fight Flu! Get Your Flu Shot Today. There's Still Time.

Getting a flu shot is the best way to protect yourself and the ones we care for from flu and its potentially serious complications. There is still time to protect against flu. With the holidays almost here, and while that means more opportunities for spreading holiday cheer, there is also more opportunity for spreading flu and other respiratory viruses.

We encourage community members to contact their clinic or local pharmacy to receive a flu vaccine. To schedule an appointment with Avera Medical Group Spencer, please call (712) 264-3500.

Fight The Flu