Three Steps of Linn County Plan to Contain Coronavirus

First, the good news: as of this writing, no one in Iowa has tested positive for COVID-19 - but the spread across the U.S. is happening, and Linn County is working on a plan to cover all scenarios as best as possible.

Linn County Public Health and local healthcare partners are currently working together and planning for prevention and response to the expanding global outbreak of COVID-19.

Currently, the immediate health risk from COVID-19 is low, but the immediate health risk from seasonal influenza is still high.

In a press statement issued today, Linn County Public Health Director Pramod Dwivedi said: “We will continue to work with our local, state and national partners to be ready in case the virus does come to Iowa.”

Symptoms of the COVID-19 in people who have been exposed can include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. The symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as long as 14 days after exposure.

There are three simple things residents can do to help prevent the spread of all viruses, including influenza and COVID-19.

Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your upper arm/elbow
Clean your hands frequently with soap and water
Contain germs by staying home when ill

The concern of the potential spread of COVID-19 is that it could disrupt normal routine. Now is the time to make plans for what you would do if you could not go to work or school because of illness.

More information is available at: