O’Brien County, Iowa — Cases of COVID-19 are quickly mounting in O’Brien County. In three days, O’Brien County Public Health has announced three cases of O’Brien County residents testing positive for the disease.
Late Thursday morning, the O’Brien County Public Health Department announced that an adult male in the age range of 41 to 60 tested positive. They say the individual is self-isolating at home.
Early Tuesday evening the first case, that of an adult female between the ages of 41 and 60, was the first confirmed case in O’Brien County. In that case, the patient is self-isolating at home, according to O’Brien County Public Health.
Then late Wednesday morning, O’Brien County officials announced the SECOND confirmed case of COVID-19 in the county, this time an adult male between the ages of 61-80 has been diagnosed. O’Brien County Public Health officials say he, like the first and third patients, is self-isolating at home.
O’Brien County Public Health Director Judy Nieuwenhuis says her office urges O’Brien County residents to make prevention of COVID-19 a top priority.
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Previous update posted Apr 1, 2020 at 11:07 a.m.
O’Brien County, Iowa — For the second time in less than 24-hours, O’Brien County Public Health officials have announced a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the county.
Early Tuesday evening the first case, that of an adult female between the ages of 41 and 60, was the first confirmed case in O’Brien County. In that case, the patient is self-isolating at home, according to O’Brien County Public Health.
Then late Wednesday morning, O’Brien County officials announced the SECOND confirmed case of COVID-19 in the county, this time an adult male between the ages of 61-80 has been diagnosed. O’Brien County Public Health officials say he, like the first patient, is self-isolating at home.
O’Brien County Public Health Director Judy Nieuwenhuis says her office urges O’Brien County residents to make prevention of COVID-19 a top priority.
Nieuwenhuis says preventative measures are simple. They include:
Washing hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds each time.
• Covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow/upper arm.
• Staying home when ill.
• Avoid close contact with others (at least six feet).
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.
Approximately 80% of Iowans infected with COVID-19, will experience only a mild to moderate illness. Most mildly ill Iowans do not need to go to their healthcare provider or be tested to confirm they have COVID-19. Sick Iowans must stay home and isolate themselves from others in their house. Stay home and isolate from others in the house until:
• You have had no fever for at least 72 hours (that is three full days of no fever without the use of medicine that reduces fevers)
AND
• other symptoms have improved (for example, when your cough or shortness of breath have improved)
AND
• at least 7 days have passed since your symptoms first appeared.
If you think you may need healthcare, call first. Your provider can assess whether you need to be seen in the office or if you can recover at home. There may also be options for you to talk to a medical provider from home using technology.
For up-to-date information on COVID-19, visit the IDPH webpage at https://idph.iowa.gov/Emerging-Health-Issues/Novel-Coronavirus and follow the department on Facebook at @IowaDepartmentOfPublicHealth and on Twitter at @IAPublicHealth.
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Original story posted 6:58 pm, 3/31/3030
O’Brien County, Iowa — A case of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has been confirmed in O’Brien County. According to the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH), the individual is an adult female in the age range of 41 to 60, and the individual is self-isolating at home.
“While this is O’Brien County’s first case, it may not be the last, and that’s why we encourage all residents to continue to make prevention a priority,” said O’Brien County Public Health Director, Judy Nieuwenhuis. These actions include:
• Washing hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds each time.
• Covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow/upper arm.
• Staying home when ill.
• Avoid close contact with others (at least six feet).
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.
Approximately 80% of Iowans infected with COVID-19, will experience only a mild to moderate illness. Most mildly ill patients do not need to go to their healthcare provider or be tested to confirm they have COVID-19. Sick individuals must stay home and isolate themselves from others in their house.
Stay home and isolate from others in the house until:
• You have had no fever for at least 72 hours (that is three full days of no fever without the use of medicine that reduces fevers)
AND
• other symptoms have improved (for example, when your cough or shortness of breath have improved)
AND
• at least 7 days have passed since your symptoms first appeared.
If you think you may need healthcare, call first. Your provider can assess whether you need to be seen in the office or if you can recover at home. There may also be options for you to talk to a medical provider from home using technology.
For up-to-date information on COVID-19, visit the IDPH webpage at https://idph.iowa.gov/Emerging-HealthIssues/Novel-Coronavirus and follow the department on Facebook at @IowaDepartmentOfPublicHealth and on Twitter at @IAPublicHealth.
