Hunter/Lang
3/11/20
The Iowa Department of Public Health now says that 13 people in the state have tested positive for COVID-19, but the number of cases in Johnson County remain stable.
As previously reported, seven Johnson County residents have tested positive. All seven had been on an Egyptian cruise from Feb. 17 to March 2. The individuals returned home on March 3.
The State Hygienic Lab on the University of Iowa campus has tested at least 86 patients for COVID-19; along with the 13 tested positive there are 27 whose test results are pending and another 46 who tested negative. They say that they have materials to test a total of 500 patients for the disease.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness.
All three state-run universities have canceled study abroad programming for the spring semester in heavily affected countries, and canceled all university-sponsored travel for students faculty and staff through the end of the month. At the University of Iowa, a campus message said that they’re closely monitoring developments and will follow recommendations from the state Department of Public Health.
A press conference Tuesday afternoon at the Johnson County Emergency Operations Center to update information revealed no change in the number of COVID-19 cases. They urged people to stay home if sick and use normal precautions when out in public to reduce the risk of transmission.
Currently, the Department of Public Health are monitoring 112 people who have returned from countries experiencing a COVID-19 outbreak, but none are showing symptoms.
The Iowa Department of Public Health is providing updates on persons being monitored, tested, and test results every Monday, Wednesday and Friday on their webpage, https://idph.iowa.gov . They’re requesting that Iowans returning from a country where COVID-19 is spreading to voluntarily self-isolate for 14 days following their return.