Atlantic, IA – Cass County Health System issued a specific process today (Friday) for all patients who need COVID-19 testing. As of March 13, the process is as follows:

• Patients should review the testing criteria that can be found at casshealth.org/covid-19 or via the hotline at 712-243-7479.
• The patient should call 712-243-2850 to schedule a same-day appointment or to inquire about being seen at AMC Rapid Care.
• Patients will then be directed to go to the southeast side of CCHS to the Suite C entrance (previous Evening Clinic entrance). Patients should wait at the door. CCHS staff will meet the patient at the door with a mask. The masked patient will then be escorted into an exam room for testing. (see the map below)
• The test itself is the same as being swabbed for influenza. The swab will be inserted into the nostril and rotated gently for 10-30 seconds.
• Patients with mild symptoms will be sent home for self-monitoring and appropriate home treatment. If the COVID-19 test is positive, then additional direction will be given to the patient at that time about isolation protocols.
• Patients with severe symptoms will be assessed by CCHS staff; next steps will be determined at that time.

If you are concerned about your symptoms and you think you may meet the testing criteria, please call 712-243-2850.

DES MOINES – The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) has been notified of one additional positive case of 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in an Iowa resident in Harrison County, for a total of 17 positive cases. This individual was tested in Nebraska, and is now recovering under isolation. Testing at Iowa’s State Hygienic Laboratory today has indicated no additional positive cases. All positive cases in Iowa at this time are travel related.

Today, Gov. Reynolds signed a proclamation to temporarily suspend requirements for transportation of food, medical supplies, cleaning products, and other household goods by removing restrictions on oversize and overweight loads.

Gov. Reynolds also held a press conference today (Friday) from the State Emergency Operations Center in Johnston to provide an update to the state of Iowa on COVID-19. A status report of monitoring and testing of COVID19 in Iowa provided by IDPH can be found here. In addition, a public hotline has been established for Iowans with questions about COVID-19. The line is available 24/7 by calling 2-1-1 or 1-800-244-7431.

Iowans can help prevent the spread of illness by following simple daily precautions including washing hands frequently, covering coughs and sneezes, and staying home when ill. It is currently flu and respiratory disease season, and IDPH recommends getting the flu vaccine. Influenza activity is widespread in Iowa and as long as flu viruses are circulating, it’s not too late to receive the vaccine.

COVID-19 was first linked to an outbreak in Wuhan, China, but cases have subsequently been identified in several countries, including the U.S. Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough and shortness of breath. Those most at risk of the virus are older adults, and individuals with underlying health conditions.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Omaha District says it has reached its goal of having the Missouri River mainstem levee system restored to its full height following massive flooding a year ago that devastated levees in Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri.

The Corps said in a news conference Friday that while there is still much work to be done throughout the region, crews had closed 24 breaches along the main river system, spending more than $400 million to date on the work.

District commander Col. John Hudson said crews have moved 4.73 million cubic yards of sand in the effort, “equal to two Empire State Buildings.”

(Radio Iowa) — A judge has declared a mistrial in the case against an Ottumwa woman accused of murdering her child. Friday morning, the jury could not reach a unanimous verdict on the count of first-degree murder against Kelsie Thomas. Thomas was found NOT GUILTY of child endangerment resulting in death. Authorities say Thomas, now 24, strangled her five-year-old daughter Cloe Chandler on July 2018.

Thomas told law enforcement her daughter accidentally hanged herself in a closet but later confessed to the killing in an interview with police. Judge Lucy Gamon declared a mistrial.

The State has the option to re-try Thomas for first-degree murder within 90 days. Discussions on how to proceed will be held at a later date.

(Radio Iowa) — Iowa State University has reached a settlement with a group that accused the school of trying to suppress free speech on campus. Speech First sued the university challenging the school’s ban on chalking political messages on sidewalks, the sending of e-mails for campaigns and elections, and the use of the I-S-U Campus Climate Reporting System.

Speech First president Nicole Neily says they dropped the lawsuit after the university agreed to changes in the policy for chalking and emails. She says the school’s Campus Climate Reporting System will also not contact or meet with students accused of “biased” speech.

I-S-U president Wendy Wintersteen issued a statement that says “the allegations of suppression made by Speech First were simply not true.” Wintersteen says no money was paid to Speech First by Iowa State University.