2019 Coronavirus Situation Update – As of 3/17/2020 – 11:00am 

For Immediate Release: March 17, 2020 

Marion County Joint Information Center 

Contact: Rachel Garner, Asst Director, Public Information Officer 

Marion County Public Health Department 641-828-2238 x 223 

COVID-19 Community Spread Confirmed in Iowa, Marion County Leadership take additional measures to limit the spread within the county. 

The Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a rapidly, changing situation. Due to detection of substantial community spread in Iowa, new recommendations are being made and new mitigation measures should be implemented immediately for Marion County residents. 

• Community spread occurs when individuals have been infected with the virus in an area and cannot specifically identify the source of the infection, or do not know how or where they became infected. 

COVID-19 New Details: 

• Gov. Reynolds issues a State of Public Health Disaster Emergency https://governor.iowa.gov/press-release/gov-reynolds-issues-a-state-of-public-health-disaster- emergency 
• President Trump has made a proclamation declaring a National Emergency concerning the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) outbreak 

o The President’s Coronavirus Guidelines for America:15 Days to Slow the Spread as of 

3/16/20. 

▪ Listen to and follow the directions of your state and local authorities. 

▪ If you feel sick, stay home. Do not go to work. Contact your medical provider. 

▪ If your children are sick, keep them at home. Do not send them to school. Contact your medical provider. 

▪ If someone in your household has tested positive for the coronavirus, keep the entire household at home. Do not go to work. Do not go to school. Contact your medical provider. 

▪ If you are an older person, stay home and away from other people. 

▪ If you are a person with a serious underlying health condition that can put you at increased risk (for example, a condition that impairs your lung or heart function or weakens your immune system), stay home and away from other people. 

▪ Even if you are young, or otherwise healthy, you are at risk and your activities can increase the risk for others. It is critical that you do your part to stop the spread of the coronavirus: 

▪ Work or engage in schooling from home whenever possible. 

▪ If you work in a critical infrastructure industry, as defined by the Department of Homeland Security, such as healthcare services and pharmaceutical and food supply, you have a special responsibility to maintain your normal work schedule. You and your employers should follow CDC guidance to protect your health at work. 

▪ Avoid social gatherings in groups of more than 10 people. 

▪ Avoid eating or drinking in bars, restaurants, and food courts – use drive-thru, pickup, or delivery options. 

▪ Avoid discretionary travel, shopping trips, and social visits. 

▪ Do not visit nursing homes or retirement or long-term care facilities unless to provide critical assistance. 

▪ Practice good hygiene o More information can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html 

All information included in this Situation Report is current as of the time and date identified above. All Information in regular text is current information. All text with strikethrough text identify outdated or completed information. New information is highlighted. 

2019 Coronavirus Situation Update – As of 3/17/2020 – 11:00am 

• Governor Reynolds announced that effective immediately, schools will be closed for the next 4 weeks in adherence to CDC Guidance. 

o Schools who have announced closure are Knoxville Community School District, Twin 

Cedars Community School District, Pleasantville Community School District. Pella Community Schools have also announced their closure for 4 weeks. Other area schools TBD. 

• Gov. Reynolds provides update to the state of Iowa, additional COVID-19 case in Iowa 3/16/20 

o The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) also has been notified of one additional 

positive case of COVID-19 in an Iowa resident, for a total of 23 positive cases. According to IDPH, this individual is a resident of Dallas County. o IWD announced assistance for workers and employers impacted by layoffs related to 

COVID-19. The guidance includes information for employees filing for unemployment insurance claims, as well as information on programs available for employers. o For more information regarding COVID-19 related unemployment insurance claims, 

please visit the Iowa Workforce Development site at https://www.iowaworkforcedevelopment.gov/ 

• The CDC updated its mass gathering guidance to postpone for the next 8 weeks any events with 50 or more people; 10 or less people is now recommended. 
• Gov. Reynolds signed 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 United Way 2-1-1 hotline feature has been activated for all Marion County residents who have questions regarding Covid-19. 

What can Marion County residents do to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19? 

Residents should continue following CDC Recommended guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19: 

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% 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. 

Useful links regarding COVID-19 

• Please follow all media releases regarding COVID-19 in Marion County, Iowa by visiting: 

o Facebook: https://fb.me/MarionCountyIAResponsetoCOVID19 o Twitter: https://twitter.com/MarionCoCOVID19 

• Marion County residents can find the most up-to-date information regarding COVID19 by visiting us at our website at http://www.marioncountyiowa.gov/ , the Iowa Department of Public Health Coronavirus, and the Centers for Disease Control Coronavirus. 
• You can also learn more by visiting https://idph.iowa.gov/Emerging-Health-Issues/Novel- Coronavirus. Along the left side of the screen, you will find guidance for your business and organization, health care, long term care, the general public, schools, travel and prevention. 
• Information regarding how COVID-19 is impacting us globally: https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/ 
• For press releases, articles and news updates related to the Governor’s vision for Iowa, please visit https://governor.iowa.gov/newsroom 

All information included in this Situation Report is current as of the time and date identified above. All Information in regular text is current information. All text with strikethrough text identify outdated or completed information. New information is highlighted. 

2019 Coronavirus Situation Update – As of 3/17/2020 – 11:00am 

Local News in Marion County: 

• Patient and Visitor Screenings and Restrictions are in Place at Pella Regional Health Center beginning at 6:30 am on Tuesday, March 17th . Please visit https://www.pellahealth.org/ for more details. 

o Starting 6:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 17th, Pella Regional is screening all patients and 

visitors prior to entering the main campus and medical clinics. For more information and maps of open entrances, please visit https://www.pellahealth.org/about-us/news/patient- and-visitor-screenings-and-restrictions-in-place-at-pell/ 

• Patient and Visitor Screenings and Restrictions in Place at Knoxville Hospital & Clinics beginning Tuesday, March 17, at 6:30 am. KHC is screening patients for cough, fever, shortness of breath and recent travel history to affected areas. Isolation, masking, and testing will occur as appropriate. 

o If you are experiencing cough, shortness of breath and fever (100.4 F), and have traveled 

to an affected area in the past 14 days, please call (641) 842-2151 for further screening and direction. o Please visit https://knoxvillehospital.org/ for more details. 

• For the City of Pella COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Information and Closure Updates please visit: https://www.cityofpella.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=864 

• As of noon, on 3/16/20, Knoxville Recreation Center and the Knoxville Public Library will be closed down until April 13, 2020. For more details please visit the City of Knoxville’s website at http://www.knoxvilleia.gov/