So how are we doing today when it comes to COVID care in the Marshalltown area? Unity Point Health Marshalltown says it’s been pretty consistent the past several days, with 85 percent of their beds occupied, 50 percent of those with the virus. Director of Nursing Jen Arenson says the challenge, like the Iowa Veteran’s Home and like the Marshalltown schools, is finding staff to care for those beds that are occupied.

Arenson adds that the summer at the hospital was busier than usual, in part due to COVID. That resulted in many care workers not being able to take vacation or other time off and with the surge, time off is hard to come by.