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UPDATE: 44 Positive COVID-19 cases now in Iowa

News

March 19th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) has been notified of 6 additional positive cases of Iowans with COVID-19, for a total of 44 positive cases. 642 negative tests have been conducted at the State Hygienic Lab.

According to IDPH, three individuals reside in Polk County, one adult 19-40, one middle aged adult 41-60, and one older adult 61-80.  One adult 19-40 living in Muscatine County, one middle aged adult 41-60 living in Dubuque County; and one adult 19-40 living in Johnson County is an adult in. Two additional non-residents of Iowa tested positive at Iowa healthcare facilities for COVID-19.

The Iowa Department of Homeland Security said also, there are several RUMORS that need to be addressed with regard to the COVID-19 outbreak:

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.

In addition, the IDPH WIC office has received numerous calls regarding a FALSE Facebook post that states the government will be sending “disaster cards” because of expiring WIC benefits and/or that WIC offices are closed. These are both false. WIC benefits will not run out at the end of the month. WIC is OPEN and is providing services to existing and new families remotely. If you have questions, call 515-281-6650 or 800-532-1579.

You are urged to continue to make Iowa Homeland Security aware of rumors you are hearing and encouraged to view trusted sources for information, such as the CDC, IDPH or World Health Organization websites.