On Sunday night, Iowa Gov., Kim Reynolds, confirmed that there have been three presumptive positive cases of Covid-19, the coronavirus, in Johnson County in Iowa. These three individuals had been on an Egyptian cruise, and all are in self-isolation at their homes. Sara Schulte, Carroll County Public Health Nurse, says they are preparing for Covid-19 and advising residents on what they can do now to prepare for the potential spread. “Since the start of this outbreak, Carroll County Public Health has worked closely with the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) to monitor potential cases of Covid-19,” Schulte says. She adds they will continue working with local, state and national parties to be ready in the event the virus does come to our area. Schulte also wants to remind residents to cover their coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the upper part of the arm, to clean their hands frequently with soap and water and to contain any germs by staying home if you feel ill. In addition, Schulte advises that preparations should be made in the same way one would prepare for severe weather or other events that can disrupt the normal routine. She suggests making a plan and discussing it with your family about what they would do if they could not go to work or school because of illness. Have a plan in place in the event a daycare provider becomes ill and figure out a way to get groceries and medications delivered to your home. Symptoms of the Covid-19 virus include fever, cough and shortness of breath. Symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as long as 14 days after exposure. More information and updates can be found through the links included below.
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Information and updates:
- https://idph.iowa.gov/Emerging-Health-Issues/Novel-Coronavirus
- Facebook: @ IowaDepartmentofPublicHealth
- Twitter: @IAPublicHealth
