2019 Coronavirus Situation Update – As of 3/21/2020 -11:00am

For Immediate Release: March 21, 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. There are no current reported, positive cases in Marion 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. 
• The CDC recommends the following home isolation measures be taken if you are sick and if you will not have a test to see if you are still contagious. You can leave your sick room and home when: 

o No fever for at least 72 hours (3 days) AND o Other symptoms have improved AND o It has been 7 days since you started feeling sick. 

COVID-19 New Details: 

• 3/20/20 Gov. Reynolds issued an additional State Public Health Emergency Declaration effective immediately providing additional regulatory relief to Iowans impacted by this public health disaster. The declaration relaxes a number of restrictions and regulations and provides relief from other statutes and state regulations. https://governor.iowa.gov/newsroom 
• 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 
• Thu, 03/19/2020 – 17:07 – The governor’s office and the Iowa Department of Public Health will be transitioning to mid-morning updates as testing capabilities have expanded. 
• President Trump has made a proclamation declaring a National Emergency concerning the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) outbreak 

 

o 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 

• 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 School District, Melcher-Dallas Community School District, and Pella Christian. 
• 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. As of 3/18/20 there have been 29 reported, positive cases in Iowa. As of 3/19/20 there have been 38 reported, positive cases in Iowa 44 reported, positive cases in Iowa. As of 3/20/20 there have been 45 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 o The State Hygienic Laboratory will continue to perform COVID-19 testing in accordance with one of the following criteria (these criteria may broaden as the pandemic expands and additional testing resources become available). 
• All hospitalized patients with fever and respiratory failure and no alternate diagnosis 
• Older adults (>60 years of age) with fever and respiratory symptoms (cough, difficulty breathing) and chronic medical conditions (e.g., diabetes, heart disease, immunosuppressive medications, chronic lung disease, or chronic kidney disease). 
• Persons with fever or respiratory illness who live in congregate setting (i.e., long term care facilities, dormitories, residential facilities, correctional facilities, treatment facilities) 
• Essential services personnel with fever or respiratory illness (i.e., healthcare providers, fire and EMS, law enforcement, residential facility staff) If patients meet the testing criteria, please submit the specimen to the State Hygienic Laboratory in accordance with the following guidance, http://shl.uiowa.edu/dcd/covid19.xml. 
• 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 
• Representation from both Knoxville and Pella area hospitals are requested for the next Marion County Board of Supervisors meeting to be held on 3/18/20 at 1pm, location 3014 E. Main Street, Knoxville, IA 50138. Only one representative is requested per hospital in order to limit the amount of participants during this meeting. 

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 
• COVID-19 DHS Resources ***Guidance is rapidly changing as the COVID-19 pandemic unfolds. Please check regularly for the latest information*** https://dhs.iowa.gov/COVID19 

Local News in Marion County: 

Food Relief 

• All food relief information for Marion County schools and residents will be updated live. Please check this link daily as information is rapidly changing: https://comarioniamy.sharepoint.com/:w:/g/personal/rgarner_marioncountyiowa_gov/EaVqpX3oKqpPmDs pZNLi4wB91dogcoNVeQFsSQhCMbksA?e=EpUvvC o Pleasantville and Twin Cedars are currently developing a plan. 

Childcare 

• Access to child care for essential employees is a high priority. Please have any essential employee who need child care contact Child Care Resource and Referral for personalized assistance: 

Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. 

Talk to a Parent Referral Specialist: 855-244-5301 Email our Parent Referral team: childcare@caeiowa.org Parent information can be accessed: https://iowaccrr.org/families/ 

Child Care Resource and Referral are dedicated to contacting all child care businesses and keeping our database as current as possible for openings. We are also available to help address any other child care concerns your county may be experiencing. Please contact us if we can be of assistance to your local planning. https://iowaccrr.org/staff/ 

• 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. 
• Pella Regional Health Center and Knoxville County Hospitals & Clinics follow the screening and testing procedures for COVID-19, directed by Center of Disease Control (CDC) and Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH). Below is the processes. The initial screening questions are: 1) What symptoms are you having? a. We are specifically looking to see if they have had a fever, cough, or difficulty breathing as these are signs and symptoms of COVID 19. 2) Have you traveled internationally, been on an international cruise ship or international river boat within the past 14 days? a. If Yes where? (specifically screening for the countries identified by the CDC at this link:https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html ) 3) Did you have close contact with another person with a lab confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis within 14 days of getting sick? They must answer question 1 yes and yes to either questions 2 or 3 to be sent for a second evaluation to see if they meet criteria to be tested for COVID-19. There is a qualified healthcare personnel who will evaluate them with a secondary screening and decide if they meet the criteria to have a test done. If yes, the test is done and they are handed an educational sheet about their next steps in regards to isolation, who to contact if symptoms get worse and what to do while waiting for test results. These are also outlined by the CDC and IDPH guidance. If a person has no signs or symptoms, or does not meet criteria for question 2 or 3, they will not have a test done. At the second assessment, if the healthcare provider evaluates and does not believe the person meets the criteria per their clinical judgment, a test will not be done. This is also per CDC and IDPH guidelines. (please see secondary attachment for IDPH FAQ and https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/index.html) The country, state and health care facilities such as ours do not have the testing capabilities to test everyone for COVID-19 and must be diligent with our screening to test the appropriate people at the appropriate time. We ask for your understanding as well as educating your staff. If you have specific questions for your business and are in need of guidance please go to IDPH website: https://idph.iowa.gov/Emerging- 

2019 Coronavirus Situation Update – As of 3/21/2020 -11:00am 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. 

HealthIssues/Novel-Coronavirus/Business-and-Organizations specifically for businesses, or you can call their hotline number 2-1-1. 

• The Knoxville Good Samaritan Free Clinic at the Activity Center will be closed as of March 23rd. 

Other County Information 

• Please take note of all of the ways you can continue to shop local to stimulate our local economy all while keeping you and your family safe. https://www.knoxvilleiachamber.com/covid-19-community-resources/ https://pella.org/pellanow/ 
• Marion County Emergency Management statement: We have been made aware of several RUMORS today. The following were brought to our attention today: 1. The Governor is NOT announcing a 15-day shelter in place recommendation at her press conference today as you may have heard from an email that came from the Secretary of State office. 2. The National Guard is NOT being called up to close interstates, borders or anything else in Iowa. 3. There is NOT a recommendation coming from federal DHS to close businesses based on a priority of essential and non-essential. We urge you to continue to make us aware of rumors you are hearing and encourage people to view trusted sources for information. 
• The IMPACT Army Post, Jasper County, Marion County, and Warren County Resource Centers will be closed at this time but will still offer all services over the phone. IMPACT Marion County Resource Center: 641-842-6571 o The State of Iowa has prohibited face-to-face applications for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Therefore, we will be taking all applications for this program over the phone. The deadline to apply for LIHEAP has been extended until May 31, 2020 and the moratorium protection period given to those approved by the program has been extended until May 1, 2020 
• 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 
• 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. 
• Please visit https://www.marioncountyiowa.gov/covid_19.htm for this and other county related information and closures. o Jury Duty. Anyone who received notice that you were a perspective juror for March of 2020. You service has concluded, and you need not call in anymore. For April jurors. You will need to start calling the number listed on your summons on April 17. o Human Resources Anyone wishing to apply for a posted job with Marion County, you may still drop off your completed paperwork at 3014 E Main Street, Knoxville, Iowa. 
• In an effort to implement social distancing practices recommended to slow the spread of COVID- 19, The City of Knoxville offices, including City Hall, Police Department, Fire Station and Public Works will be closed to the public effective Thursday, March 19, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. until further notice. While these facilities are closed to walk-in traffic, City Services will continue to be provided online, via email or by phone. For more information please contact https://www.knoxvilleia.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=243 

 

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 bar, theaters, casinos and gaming facilities, mass gatherings (social, spiritual, religious, recreational, etc), senior citizen centers and adult daycare facilities, all fitness centers, health clubs, health spas, gyms, aquatic centers shall be closed continuing until 11:59 p.m. on March 31, 2020. 
• effective Noon on March 17, 2020 and continuing until 11:59 p.m. on March 31, 2020 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 

• Tattoo parlors, salons, barbershops and tanning salons are not required to be closed under the declaration. They should be encouraged to do health screening for staff and clients before allowing people in. If people are sick or exhibiting signs of illness they should be asked to go home. Enhanced attention to sanitation and a focus on social distancing (i.e. keeping patrons and staff at least 6 feet apart whenever possible) is also warranted during this time. To the extent possible, the numbers of patrons in the establishment should also be limited (encourage them to implement call ahead procedures). 
• Iowa Business Information on COVID-19 o https://www.iasourcelink.com/resources/iowa-business-information-on-covid- 19 • 03/20/2020 16:46:37 

Event Title Infectious Disease Details The Department of Inspections & Appeals issued a press release regarding the immediate suspension of all routine inspections of hotels, home bakeries, and food establishments, including restaurants, bars, and food trucks. DIA will limit inspections to those for complaints, follow-up inspections, and preopening inspections for new businesses. Press release may be found here https://dia.iowa.gov/pressrelease/20200320/diatemporarily- suspendsfoodinspectionsduringcovid19response DIA’s website updated here https://dia.iowa.gov/about/novelcoronaviruscovid19