Rock Rapids, Iowa — Public Health officials in at least one northwest Iowa county are recommending checking employees’ body temperatures when they come to work.
Health Services of Lyon County, the public health department in Lyon County says they are recommending businesses review their emergency plans to include screening staff for fever, cough or respiratory illness symptoms prior to starting their shift each day. Public Health Nurse Melissa Stillson says that while they are focusing on decreasing the spread of COVID-19, they are using these screenings to identify any worker that is ill and should not be present in the workplace.
Also, they tell us that 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.
However, health department officials stress that sick Iowans must stay home and isolate themselves from others in their house.
They say to 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. |
They tell us that if you think you may need healthcare, you should call first. Your provider can assess whether you need to be seen in the office or if you can recover at home. Also, there may be options for you to talk to a medical provider from home using technology.
