O’Brien County, Iowa — There’s been a great deal about the Coronavirus in recent days, and the O’Brien County Public Health Department has some information to share about the outbreak which has not been confirmed in any cases in this country.
Nurse Judy Nieuwenhuis says you don’t need to worry unless the virus starts spreading across the country.
(As above) “The potential can be high if it starts spreading across the United States but right now there’s only been two person-to-person confirmed cases and there isn’t anybody in Iowa that has had a confirmed case.”
Nieuwenhuis says test results for the Coronavirus, or COVID-19, are now available more quickly.
(As above) “And right now the state hygienic lab for Iowa can start doing testing so if there is anyone in our area or in the state of Iowa, we’ll find out the results a lot faster than having to send it to the CDC” (Centers for Disease Control).
Nieuwenhuis talks about what’s being done on the local level.
(As above) “On the local level the things that we’re doing is we have weekly coalition webinars with the Iowa Department of Public Health, so they’re keeping us up-to-date on any information.”
She says there are things we can do to help prevent the spread of ALL viruses, including influenza and COVID-19. They include: Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your upper arm/elbow; Clean your hands frequently with soap and water; Contain germs by staying home when ill.
For more information on COVID-19, visit the Iowa Department of Public Health website.
Image from the KIWA Image Archive
