DES MOINES, Iowa — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds announce Monday that five new cases of the coronavirus, COVID-19, have emerged in Iowa, bringing to eight the number of cases confirmed in the state since the outbreak of the illness in late 2019.
Four of the new cases reside in Johnson County, according to the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH). All were older adults (61 to 80 years) and were on the same Egyptian cruise as the previous three presumptive positive cases.
The remaining case is a middle-aged adult (41 to 60 years) in Pottawattamie County who recently traveled to California. Testing for the Pottawattamie case was performed in Nebraska.
In response to the new cases, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed Monday a proclamation of disaster emergency, activating the disaster response and recovery aspects of the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management’s Iowa Emergency Response Plan.
The proclamation authorizes state agencies to use resources, including personnel, equipment and facilities, to perform activities necessary to prevent contain and mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 virus.
“I want to ensure Iowans that we are confident that we are prepared, that we take the situation seriously and will manage it responsibly,” Reynolds said Sunday in a press conference. She said she will next update the public at a Tuesday morning conference.
COVID-19 was first linked to an outbreak in Wuhan, China, but cases have subsequently been identified in several countries, including the U.S.
The IDPH encourages all Iowans to take the recommended precautions to prevent the spread of the virus:
- to wash hands frequently with soap and water for 20-30 second
- to cover your coughs and sneezes
- to stay home from work if you feel unwell
People who suspect they have contracted the coronavirus should call ahead to their doctor or health care provider to make arrangements for treatment. Iowans with questions of any kind should call the 24-hour call center by dialing 2-1-1 or visit the IDPH website.
ThePerryNews.com will update this story as information becomes available.
