January 19, 2021 Northwest Iowa — We’re getting closer and closer to the day when we can all get vaccinated against COVID-19. The Iowa Department of Public Health says that we are in Phase 1A until February 1st. Phase 1A is long-term care residents and healthcare personnel with direct patient contact who are unable to telework, including those who work in inpatient, outpatient, or community settings, who provide services to patients or patient’s family members, or who handle infectious materials. Health care personnel are defined as paid and unpaid persons serving in health care settings who have the potential for direct or indirect exposure to patients or infectious materials. This includes EMTs, volunteers, hospice workers, and more.