The Rowley Masonic Community in Perry and the Arbor Springs of West Des Moines have joined the Pearl Valley Rehabilitation and Nursing in Perry and the Granger Nursing and Rehabilitation in Granger as the Dallas County long-term care facilities with COVID-19 outbreaks, the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced Monday.
According to the IDPH website, the Rowley has reported six positive cases of COVID-19, and Arbor Springs has reported 18 positive cases.
A statement issued by the Rowley Masonic Community indicated two residents with COVID-19 have died.
The IDP reported 12 cases at Pearl Valley April 27. Twenty-two cases were reported at Granger Nursing April 28, later raised to 44 cases May 9.
The IDPH offered free COVID-19 testing Friday and Saturday in Adel for all staff members of long-term care facilities in Dallas County. About 1,000 workers are employed in nine LTC facilities in Dallas County, according to the Dallas County Public Health Department.
IDPH COVID-19 Media Relations Coordinator Amy McCoy did not reply Monday when asked how many eligible workers were tested at the weekend strike-team event administered by the IDPH and the Iowa Army National Guard.
Thirty-two long-term care facilities in Iowa have now reported 1,100 positive cases of COVID-19, and the novel coronavirus is especially dangerous for elderly residents and those whose health was previously compromised. About 50% of the 243 COVID-19 deaths in Iowa is composed of residents of long-term care facilities.
