After weeks of global hysteria that has migrated to the United States, coronavirus has finally hit Iowa. On March 8, at a press conference called by Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, it was reported that three individuals in Johnson County were presumed to test positive — and all took part in an Egyptian cruise. At the time, the governor was unable to confirm if the three had all been on the same cruise yet it was suspected they were. All three were adults, one age 41-60 and the other two ages 61-80, and all were to be quarantined at home. None required hospitalization and all are recovering.
By press time, the number of Iowans with COCID-19 had risen to eight, according to the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH).
The strain spreading around the globe, including the United States, is known as COVID-19. Symptoms mirror those of the flu yet there is currently no vaccine and mortality rates are trending higher than the flu.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is also updating its site cdc.gov daily with COVID-19 updates.
As of March 9, courtesy of the CDC, there are 423 cases in the U.S. and 19 deaths, with the virus present in 35 states, including Washington, D.C. Of the 423 cases at the time, 72 are travel related, 29 are from person-to-person and 322 are under investigation.
According to IDPH, 51 people in Iowa had been tested for COVID-19 through March 9. Of those, eight tested positive and 32 tested negative. Eleven tests are pending. It was estimated that Iowa has around 500 test kits.
IDPH also released the following disclaimer with regard to general prevention: “It is important to note there are seven different coronaviruses known to infect humans. There are four common coronaviruses (229E, NL63, OC43 and HKU1) that circulate widely. Most people will get infected with one or more of the common human coronaviruses in their lifetime. IDPH recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of all respiratory viruses, including:
* Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol if soap and water are not available.
* Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
* Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
* Stay home when you are sick.
* Cover your mouth with your upper arm or tissue when coughing or sneezing.
* Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
Muscatine County Board hears
from Muscatine Co. Public Health
Representatives from Muscatine County Public Health, including Director Christy Roby Williams, visited the Muscatine County Board of Supervisors March 2, to give an update on the coronavirus.
Williams said county officials were working in conjunction with the IDPH and urged area residents to continually check the IDPH website idph.iowa.gov to stay up to date with information.
“We need to fill our minds with facts not fear,” Williams told the board. She called the IDPH site “your one true source” for facts and resources.
She said preventing the spread of COVID-19 is much like influenza, stressing coughing and sneezing into shirt sleeves rather than a person’s own hands; washing hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; and cover hands with tissues or sleeves when opening public doors.
According to Yahoo.com’s coronavirus coverage, “The latest figures from Johns Hopkins University show more than 111,000 reported cases of the coronavirus in more than 100 countries, with more than 62,000 recovered. The U.S. death toll rose to 22, while the global total is more than 3,800.”
Congress also passed an emergency $8.3 billion spending bill in response to the outbreak, “expected to fund research, vaccine development, test kits, medical treatments and public health and international efforts aimed at combating the spread of infection.”
Both the Wilton and Durant school systems are focusing more on preventative measures and say that the flu is more of an immediate concern.
Durant school nurse Mary Dorris said, “We will continue to follow the recommendations of the CDC, Iowa Department of Public Health, local public health and the Iowa Department of Education. Influenza is still circulating, although our absences have been lower than previous years. It is important to remember that the best ways to protect your family from illness is to stay home when you are sick, cover your cough/sneeze, stay hydrated, and wash your hands.”
Wilton school nurse Heather Hartley said, “I participated in a webinar hosted jointly by the Iowa Department of Public Health and the Iowa Department of Education on Monday, March 2. We will follow the recommendations of the Iowa Department of Public Health and the Iowa Department of Education. What we can do to help prevent the spread of viruses including influenza is to cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your upper arm/elbow, wash your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds with soap and water, if you aren’t able to wash your hands use hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent ethyl alcohol, and stay home if you are ill. We are still seeing some cases of influenza however lower than weeks past and years.”
Joe Burnett serves as superintendent for both school districts. “We are following the guidelines that have been sent to us by the department of health. (The same ones that are reported to the media.) That’s why we haven’t sent a mass email out to the community — we have no information that isn’t already out there. If we are forced to close the school based on a state declaration, we will simply close and await guidance from them. We are in uncharted territory here.”
