For Immediate Release: March 18, 2020 – Marion County Joint Information Center
Contact: Rachel Garner, Asst Director, Public Information Officer
Marion County Public Health Department
641-828-2238 x 223

VIDEO OF AFTERNOON PRESS CONFERENCE:

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-disasteremergency
• President Trump has made a proclamation declaring a National Emergency concerning the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) outbreak

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

2019 Coronavirus Situation Update – As of 3/18/2020 – 4:00pm
• 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 and Pella Christian have also announced their closure for 4 weeks. Other area schools TBD.
• Gov. Reynolds provides update to the state of Iowa, as of 3/18/20 there have been 29 reported, positive cases in Iowa.
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. http://www.211.org/services/covid19#FAQ
• We have activated a Joint Information Center here at the SEOC and want to ensure that we share information with the County EMAs and PIOs. Communications are a vital part of
emergency response. Please take the time to fill out this short questionnaire by end of the day Wednesday, March 18, 2020 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfnXNjztow4aPcrR0fvdxWRlcKcMlVIIbc2TA_RMRICv9o-Q/viewform?fbzx=4246745801276005765

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.
• Social distancing – remain 6 or more feet away from other individuals
• No group activities with 10+ people

Disinfecting your home if someone is sick: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/disinfecting-your-home.html
Steps to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 if you are sick: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/steps-when-sick.html

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
▪ 3/18/20 Press release from Marion County representatives can be found here.
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/NovelCoronavirus. 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
• If you need assistance finding food, paying housing bills, accessing free childcare, or other essential services, find your local 211 or dial 211 to speak to someone who can help. http://www.211.org/services/covid19#FAQ

Local News in Marion County:
• Food Relief
• Schools will begin providing food relief soon for students in the Marion County school district. Below are details for each school and what assistance they are providing:
o Melcher-Dallas community school district – MD families can apply through USDA to provide meals for students by drive-thru, grab-and-go, or other methods during school
closures related to the COVID-19 outbreak. These meals would be free to any child 18 and under. The lunch meals would be served from the high school location every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 11:00am-11:30am through Thursday, April 9th
—–Please email knutsonm@melcher-dallas.k12.ia.us if you are interested by March 20th so they can determine if they should apply for this program.
o Other area schools are developing a plan and will have announcements soon.
• Celebrate Church Food Pantry at the Crosswalk Building 810 West Robinson will be open Wednesdays from 1-4 pm. Folks are able to pick up food, there will be curbside parking and someone will be there to deliver.
• Panther Pantry @ Knoxville High School – The pantry will remain fully operational during the coming weeks. Beginning March 23rd the pantry will distribute food each Monday: March 23rd, March 30th and April 6th. Distribution times will remain the same: 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm. Families may now come each Monday. Our guidelines to access the pantry have not changed: You must live within the Knoxville Community School District AND have children that either attend school, are home schooled, are of pre school age or, if you do not live within the district, open enrolled to the school district.

Childcare
• This is an assessment of need and not a guarantee of a service that will be provided. The Goal: Ensure working parents serving in critical roles, defined below, who are impacted by school closures continue to have access to childcare.
For those parents with children 12 years old and younger, or a child with special needs up to age 19, DHS will ensure access to childcare located at a school-based or alternative site.

ELIGIBILITY: Parents offered this service will be limited to a two-parent household who both work, or single-parent who works, in the following fields:
– All hospital staff;
– All healthcare providers in private practice and all direct care staff;
– Staff who provide critical government infrastructure: examples include: social services, child protection services, public health officials, tax collection, corrections and other public safety;
– Emergency responders;
– Food service workers, including grocery store staff and limited restaurant staff to include supporting take-away options; and
– Others as approved by the Director of Human Services.

If this applies to your current situation, please respond with your information including how many of your children would need child care on an emergency basis to:
childcareinfo@marioncountyiowa.gov

Hospitals
• 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/patientand-visitor-screenings-and-restrictions-in-place-at-pell/
• Knoxville Hospital & Clinics Limits Public Entrances, Implements Screening in Vehicles
o Beginning Wednesday, March 18, Knoxville Hospital & Clinics (KHC) is limiting the number of public entrances to campus. All patients and visitors will be screened in their
vehicles prior to entering the KHC campus.
o 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.

• The Knoxville Good Samaritan Free Clinic at the Activity Center will be closed as of March 23rd
. Other County Information
• The Pella Historical Society and Museums and Tulip Time Steering Committee have announced they are cancelling the 85th Annual Tulip Time Festival, originally scheduled May 7th through 9th.
• For the City of Pella COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Information and Closure Updates please visit: https://www.cityofpella.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=864

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.
• 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/

• In accordance with President Trump’s “15 Days to Control the Spread,” the Marion County Board of Supervisors urges residents to suspend all non-essential travel (including work and vacation travel) until further notice.
• The Marion County Board of Supervisors approved the suspension of certain county government functions effective 3/18/20.

The following Marion County Offices are closed to the public or have limited access until further notice:
o Treasurer’s Office
o Assessor’s Office
o Recorder’s office
• Please visit https://www.marioncountyiowa.gov/covid_19.htm for this and other county related
information and closures.
o The Auditor’s office is closed to the public, with the exception receiving Candidate filing papers through 3/25/2020.
▪ Voter registrations can be done on the Iowa Secretary of States website
• Please note the following services will be available online at marioncountyiowa.gov:
o Treasurer’s Office 828-2202
▪ Property tax and motor vehicle renewals
▪ Renewal of Iowa Driver’s License, in accordance with DOT guidelines
▪ If you need to transfer a title you may call the treasurer’s office at 641-828-2202 for step by step instructions.
o Assessor’s Office
▪ A citizen can apply for Homestead Credit, Military Exemption
▪ Business Property Tax Credit
▪ Petition Forms are available
▪ Access any property information via Beacon services, Ags Sales Book.
▪ Rent reimbursement Form
o Recorder’s Office 828-2211
▪ DNR
▪ Hunting or fishing license or renewal online
▪ Regarding information concerning fees for Boat, ATV, Snow Machines – call and
send check. It can be processed via mail.
▪ Request vital records by mail from the County or go to Vitalchek.com to access
the State of Iowa or call 866-809-0290
▪ Record or search land records at Iowalandrecords.org or mail to Marion County Recorder, 214 E Main St, Knoxville IA 50138
▪ Passport office closed until further notice
o Marion County Public Health will conduct business on an appointment only basis
▪ Call 641-828-2238 x 0 or your program contact for appointment
▪ Meals On Wheels services will continue to be provided
▪ Environmental Health is continuing its functions. Contact Bridget at 641-828-2238 x251
▪ WIC will still provide benefits, but limited person-to-person contact is now in effect until further notice. Please call WIC for further information 641-828-2238
x25
▪ I-Smile Program is discontinuing direct services until further notice.
▪ General relief will continue to be by appointment only. Please call to schedule an
appointment.
o Zoning
▪ Building permits
▪ Septic permit
▪ Complaint
▪ Land division online
▪ Request for rezoning
▪ 641-828-2231 x7
▪
o The physical location of the Marion County Sheriff’s office, located at 311 N. Godfrey is closed to the public
▪ All inmate visits can be conducted online at inmatecanteen.com
▪ In the event of an emergency, please dial 9-1-1 as Law enforcement and emergency response will continue their regular shifts.
▪ To apply for a new Permit to Carry/Permit to Purchase or to renew an existing Permit please go to our website: marioncountyiowa.gov to print out the application forms and for guidelines & instructions to apply. Please remember to sign & date your application and include a phone number in case we need to get
ahold of you! Since our Civil Office is closed to the public, we will be taking these applications through the mail with the proper documentation provided and a Money Order or Cashier’s Check made out to the Marion County Sheriff for the appropriate amount due. Please do not send cash in the mail! Mail your requests to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, 211 N Godfrey Lane, Knoxville, IA 50138. If you have any questions or concerns regarding weapons permits, please contact the Civil Office at 641-828-2247.
▪ Civil Office: 641-828-2247
▪ Jail: 641-828-2245
▪ Non-Emergency/Dispatch: 641-828-2220
o Roads Department
▪ Office is closed to the public.
▪ Please utilize all online options
• If you feel your need cannot be met online, please contact this department by phone or email 641-828-2225 or tvangorp@marioncountyiowa.org
o Veteran Affairs
▪ By appointment only. Please call 641-828-2201 or by cell 812-322-8595 to schedule an appointment.
o County Rural Offices of Social Services (CROSS) Region
▪ Closed to the public; services provided by other means by appointment. For questions and other services, please contact the appropriate staff:
Disability Services Coordinator: tiffany.hopkins@crossmhds.org t: 641-828-2238 ext. 144
Social Worker: caree.gordon@crossmhds.org t:641-828-2238 ext. 101
Disability Services Administrative Assistant: amanda.roberts@crossmhds.org t: 641-828-2238 Ext. 141
CROSS Region CEO: rachel.cecil@crossmhds.org t: 641-828-2238 ext. 241
Businesses
• The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) needs to assess the impact of the pandemic in Iowa. To assist in these efforts, please complete this survey, developed by
University of Northern Iowa – Institute for Decision Making, to tell us what your business is experiencing and how your business is handling the current crisis.
https://uni.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4SK7W5qa88IkhXT
• Governor Reynolds signed a Proclamation of Disaster Emergency during the morning of March 17, 2020, requesting the closure of the hospitality sector statewide beginning at noon on 03/17/2020. These services include: restaurants and bars, fitness centers, theaters, casinos and gaming facilities, mass gatherings (social, spiritual, religious, recreational, etc), senior citizen centers and adult daycare facilities.

o Senior Citizen Centers and Adult Daycare Facilities: All facilities that conduct adult day services or other senior citizen centers are hereby closed.
o https://governor.iowa.gov/press-release/gov-reynolds-issues-a-state-of-public-healthdisaster-emergency
• CDC Resources for Businesses and Employers: Plan, prepare, and respond to coronavirus disease 2019. Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers, Interim US Guidance for
Risk Assessment and Public Health Management of Persons with Potential Coronavirus Disease 2019, Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection Recommendations can be found at:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/businessesemployers.html
• Iowa Workforce Development updates and resources about COVID-19:
https://www.iowaworkforcedevelopment.gov/updates-and-resources-about-covid-19