Author: Theresa Rose

COVID19 Information Resources
– Iowa Dept. of Public Health: https://idph.iowa.gov/Emerging-Health-Issues/Novel-Coronavirus; or you can call a 24/7 hotline for information by dialing 2-1-1
– Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/index.html
– Symptoms: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/COVID19-symptoms.pdf
– Travel Updates: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html

Travel Updates
The CDC provides “travel notices” for countries who have been affected by COVID-19. They have an updated list on their site: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html

CDC Guidance to Preventing the Spread of COVID-19
– Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
– Avoid touching your eyes, nose, an mouth.
– Stay at home when you are sick.
– Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue.
– Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
– Face-masks should only be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19.
– Wash you hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
– If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol

Symptoms of COVID-19
According to the CDC, symptoms include:
– Fever
– Cough
– Shortness of breath

Henry County Emergency Management Coordinator, Walt Jackson and Public Health Director Shelley Van Dorin have been getting enough questions about the coronavirus  that they decided to hold a Henry County Pandemic meeting. Representatives from county governments, schools, care facilities, emergency response agencies along with law enforcement, utilities and even Veterans Affairs met Tuesday morning.

Jackson and Van Dorin shared the latest information from the Iowa Department of Public Health about the virus and answered questions. Van Dorin said the IDPH and the CDC are the most reliable sources, not social media. Her advice is to check websites for both agencies every day in order to stay updated because this is an ever changing situation. She said to continue to ask questions and ask for guidance.  Iowa Public Health has established 211 as a number for the public to call.

Other information shared during the meeting…

Cleaning recommendations…once a day use clorax wipes or other disinfectant to wipe down counter tops, door handles, etc.

Employers should encourage sick employees to stay home without repercussions.Van Dorin did acknowledge that the 14 day self quarantine could be a hardship for employers and employees.

HCHC has the capacity to do the testing according to CEO Robb Gardner, if ordered.  The IDPH has strict protocol for doing the test.  An individual would have to be tested first for influenza A & B.

Self isolation is on the honor system and only a suggestion not an order unless it has been determined an individual  has returned from China or Iran and has tested positive.

Right now it’s up to facilities like care centers and hospitals whether or not to limit visitors.  No IDPH recommendations on this have been issued yet.  HCHC is considering tightening visiting restrictions but if that happens it doesn’t mean they have cases of Covid 19. Both Jackson and Van Dorin said it’s important to be informed, and prepared but the worst thing we can do is incite fear.

If the situation in Henry County changes the group will come together again.

There is an expanding global outbreak of respiratory illness called COVID-19 caused by a novel (new) coronavirus. Community spread is being detected in a growing number of countries and cases have been identified in a number of communities with U.S.
There are three presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 in Iowa.
 The individuals are from Johnson County.
o One middle-age (41-60 years) adult and two older adults (61-80).
o None required hospitalization and are recovering.
o All three cases are associated with travel on a cruise in Egypt.
 IDPH provides updates on persons being monitored, tested and test results every Monday through Friday on the department’s COVID-19 webpage: https://idph.iowa.gov/Emerging-Health-Issues/Novel-Coronavirus.
 Remember there are seven different coronaviruses, and four of these are common.
Public health efforts are focused on both containing the spread of the virus and mitigating its potential impact.
 We are working closely with the Iowa Department of Public Health and the CDC, as well as local public and private partners to respond to and mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
 Currently, individual risk of COVID-19 is dependent upon exposure.
o This includes travelers returning from affected international locations where community spread is occurring. These locations are updated by the CDC and may be found at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html.
Everyone can do their part to help respond to this emerging public health threat.
 Every-day prevention methods are very important:
o Wash your hands frequently.
o Stay home if you are ill.
o Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue.
 Perform routine cleaning.
o Routinely clean frequently touched surfaces (e.g., doorknobs, light switches, countertops) with the cleaners typically used. Use all cleaning products according to the directions on the label.
 Individuals and communities should prepare for COVID-19.
o We are working with schools and businesses to make plans for potential absences due to illness.
 We recommend consideration of flexible schedules and tele-working or learning options.
 We recommend flexible sick leave policies to care for individuals and their families.
 We do not recommend the requirement of a doctor’s note for sick leave.

Individuals should make a plan with their families.
 This is similar to plans for other events, like severe storms, that could interrupt normal activities.
 Individuals should consider plans if schools or businesses needed to close to modify their schedules.
 The Iowa Dept. of Public Health has many targeted recommendations for schools, businesses, long-term care facilities and more at https://idph.iowa.gov/Emerging-Health-Issues/Novel-Coronavirus.
If you have recently been to an area with ongoing spread of COVID-19 or have been exposed to someone sick with COVID-19 in the last 14 days, you may face some limitations on your movement and activity. Please follow public health instructions during this time.
 The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) has requested Iowans returning from a country where novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is spreading to voluntarily self-isolate for 14 days following their return. Areas in this travel notice currently include:
o Italy
o Japan
o South Korea
 Public health authorities, in accordance with the President’s Task Force on Coronavirus are mandatorily monitoring travelers from:
o Mainland China
o Iran
 Your cooperation is integral to the ongoing public health response to try to slow spread of this virus.
 If you develop COVID-19 symptoms, contact your healthcare provider, and tell them about your symptoms and your travel or exposure to a COVID-19 patient BEFORE you go to the clinic or office.
o Symptoms of COVID-19:
 Fever
 Cough
 Shortness of breath

Testing at Iowa’s State Hygienic Laboratory has indicated three presumptive positive cases of 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Iowa residents. According to the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH), the individuals are from Johnson County: one middle-age (41-60 years) adult and two older adults (61-80). Two of the individuals had underlying health conditions. One did not. None required hospitalization and all are recovering.
“Iowa has been proactively preparing for the likelihood of a positive test in Iowa with strategic planning and safety measures. While these are the first cases, it may not be the last and it’s why Iowans must continue to practice safe habits like hand washing and staying home from work when sick,” said Gov. Reynolds. “My team is engaged through the President’s Coronavirus Task Force, led by Vice President Mike Pence, as well as the nation’s governors to work collaboratively to limit the spread of COVID-19.”
“All three individuals were part of a cruise in Egypt,” said IDPH Medical Director and State Epidemiologist, Dr. Caitlin Pedati. “IDPH is working with local public health to assess potential exposures to others. These cases are an important reminder that all Iowans need to help prevent the spread of illness by washing hands frequently, staying home when ill, and covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue.”
COVID-19 was first linked to an outbreak in Wuhan, China, but cases have subsequently been identified in several countries, including the U.S. These are the first cases identified in Iowa. Confirmatory testing is pending at CDC.
No additional or special precautions are recommended for Iowans beyond the simple daily precautions to combat the flu including washing hands frequently, covering coughs and sneezes, and staying home when ill. It is currently flu and respiratory disease season, and IDPH recommends getting the flu vaccine. Influenza activity is widespread in Iowa and as long as flu viruses are circulating, it’s not too late to receive the vaccine.
For more information about novel coronavirus, visit https://idph.iowa.gov/Emerging-Health-Issues/Novel-Coronavirus. In addition, a public hotline has been established for Iowans with questions about COVID-19. The line is available 24/7 by calling 2-1-1.
COVID-19 Presumptively Confirmed in Three Iowa Residents
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Henry County Public Health continues to work with the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), state and local partners to monitor and respond to novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The virus was first detected in Wuhan, China in December 2019, and has since been detected in other parts of the world, including the U.S.

As Spring Break nears, many Iowans are making travel preparations. IDPH and Henry County Public Health remind vacationers to make protecting their health part of their plans. Whether traveling to a sunny beach, a ski resort or enjoying a staycation, take time to learn about and prepare for health concerns.

Across the country, the greatest health risk to Henry County residents is from influenza; however, it is appropriate to take precautions against the COVID-19 virus. “The prevention for COVID-19 is similar to how you protect yourself from a variety of viruses, like influenza,” said Henry County Public Health Director Shelley Van Dorin. “Cover coughs and sneezes, wash hands frequently, and stay home from work or vacation when ill.”

We continue to learn more about COVID-19 as the response progresses. Most often, person-to-person spread is thought to happen among people in close contact (about 6 feet) with each other. This spread is believed to occur when an infected person coughs or sneezes and droplets land on another person’s nose or mouth. Therefore, when at home or traveling, it is important to avoid being near people who are visibly ill. Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, coughing and shortness of breath.

IDPH posts statewide numbers of persons being monitored, persons being tested and test results on the IDPH webpage at https://idph.iowa.gov/Emerging-Health-Issues/Novel-Coronavirus on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Visit this web page often for up-to-date information and follow the department on Facebook at @IowaDepartmentOfPublicHealth and on Twitter at @IAPublicHealth.