The following area schools are cancelling classes, effective Monday, March 16th due to the concerns about the spread of the COVID-19 Virus. The length of time these schools will be closed in listed next to the district name, if that time frame has been established. (this list will be updated as information is confirmed):

• AC/GC Schools.
• Atlantic CSD
• Audubon Schools (for 4 weeks, effective 3/16)
  
• Bedford (TFN – ’til further notice)
• Carroll CSD
• Clarinda (4-weeks closure)
• Coon Rapids-Bayard
• Exira-EHK
• Griswold
• IKM-Manning
• Lenox
• Panorama CSD
• Shenandoah (4 weeks)
• Southwest Valley CSD
• West Central Valley

Other districts that are closing Tuesday morning through March 27th, include:

• AHSTW
• CAM (off from 3/17-4/13)
• Council Bluffs Public Schools
• Denison-Schleswig (closing for 4 weeks)
• Glenwood
• Harlan Schools
• Lewis Central
• Logan-Magnolia (closing for 4 weeks)
• Nodaway Valley ((off from 3/17-4/13))
• Riverside/Carson
• Sidney CSD (4 weeks)
• South Page (4 weeks)
• Treynor
• Tri-Center

Red Oak Schools will make an announcement Tuesday (3/17) on the status of classes.

Atlantic Community School District Superintendent Steve Barber said late Sunday night, that “Atlantic Schools are canceling tomorrow (Monday) base on Governor Reynolds’ recommendation. More information will be provided to Atlantic [District] parents and staff [on Monday].” Griswold schools have also cancelled classes.

Earlier Sunday night, Reynolds said she would ask all schools in Iowa to close for four-weeks, due to the Community Spread of the Covid-19 virus. Additional details from her are expected Monday, during a press conference.

Upon discovery of the existence of substantial community spread of COVID-19 in the state, Gov. Reynolds is recommending that Iowa schools close for four weeks.  “Based on new information today from the Iowa Department of Public Health, now is the time to move to the next level of response,” Gov. Reynolds stated. “I am now recommending that all Iowa schools close for a period of four weeks to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19.”

Gov. Reynolds released the following video statement, it can be viewed here.

Gov. Reynolds is making this recommendation in consultation with the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) and based on CDC guidelines.

Earlier today (Sunday), IDPH was notified of four additional positive cases of Iowans with COVID-19, for a total of 22 positive cases. According to IDPH, two cases are related to international travel. The individuals are residents of Allamakee County, one is a middle-age adult between 41-60 years; the other is a child, age 0-18 years. The third case is a middle-age Johnson County resident with no identified travel-related risk or exposure to a known COVID-19 case, and is considered the second case of community spread in Iowa. The fourth individual resides in Polk County and is a middle-age adult and indicates a third case of community spread.

One of today’s (Sunday’s) new cases was the first Iowa test conducted by a national lab. With testing options now expanding, Iowa expects the numbers of positive cases to increase. The governor will hold a press conference tomorrow (Monday). The press conference will be streamed on her Facebook page.

The state of Iowa is developing policies to ensure continued access to child care during this time of emergency, including meals for low income students.

Also today (Sunday), Gov. Reynolds signed a Proclamation of Disaster Emergency continuing the proclamation signed on March 9, allowing retailers that sell liquor, beer, wine, carbonated beverages, and other beverages with an Iowa beverage container deposit to stop accepting empty cans and bottles for the duration of this disaster emergency.

On Sunday evening, the CDC updated its mass gathering guidance to postpone for the next 8 weeks any events with 50 or more people.  The goal is to reduce introduction of the virus into new communities and to slow the spread of infection in communities already affected by the virus. This recommendation is not intended to supersede the advice of local public health officials.

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.

Officials with the AHSTW School District, Sunday evening, said “As we continue to learn more and more about COVID-19 and the spread across our area, the AHSTW School District, in conjunction with all Pottawattamie County Schools Districts, will CLOSE school beginning on Tuesday, March 15, 2020. This closure will run through Friday, March 27.”

Officials said also, they will continue to monitor the situation, and provide more information as it becomes available.

Other schools in Pott. County that are closing include:

• Council Bluffs Community Schools beginning Tuesday, March 17.
• Riverside Community Schools (3/17-27).

Both of those districts essentially said the same thing on their social media pages: We have chosen to have school on Monday March 16, 2020, to allow teachers to connect with students and to provide information so they can continue engaging in learning during the closure. If your child is unable to attend school on Monday, we will get information to you on how to get the needed information.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa leaders say they will halt the current legislative session for at least 30 days after learning the state now has community spread of COVID-19, the illness caused by the spreading coronavirus. Colin Tadlock, the spokesman for House Republicans, says in a statement that leaders made the decision Sunday.

The decision was made in consultation with the Iowa Department of Public Health and Gov. Kim Reynolds. The House and Senate will convene on Monday to consider resolutions regarding continuity of government to ensure delivery of essential government services.

Officials with the Atlantic Community School District in cooperation with Cass County Public Health, said Sunday, “Due to the coronavirus, the Governor, Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH), Cass County Emergency Management, and Cass County Public Health are recommending that there be no non-essential gatherings outside of students and staff during regular school activities.

According to the new guidelines put in place, the only people allowed in the Atlantic facilities will be employees, students, and necessary emergency personnel.

Parents/guardians needing to pick up their child(ren) at a non-dismissal time will be met at the door by their child(ren) and a staff member after being identified through our entrance security video system. Any meetings between school staff and stakeholders will need to happen over the Internet or by telephone.

One question that has been asked is the option for a child to be home from school. If a student has a compromised immune system or has a health related issue, we understand that attendance at school may be a concern. Please be assured he/she will be excused. If you should decide to keep your child home from school, we understand and respect your right to do so. However, please be sure to communicate this decision to your child’s respective school. 

Any person(s) not feeling well should be kept home from school. Per our illness policy, if a person has a fever, vomiting and/or has a cough that is not controlled, he/she should stay home and not attend school. We will continue to follow public health guidelines with sanitizing, hand washing, covering coughs, and cleaning high touch surfaces.

Non-essential gatherings will be cancelled/postponed starting Monday, March 16, 2020, until the district receives guidance that it is safe to resume. This includes the following: banquets, no lunch guests, classroom speakers, assemblies, music/band concerts, PTO meetings, Booster Club meetings, etc.  In-season high school sports and activity practices will be allowed to continue as planned. All school travel, other than daily bus routes, is also suspended.

This is a fluid situation and officials will continue to update the information as it becomes available.

Atlantic, IA — Cass County Health System officials, Sunday afternoon, announced updated measures for the public about being within CCHS facilities. This measure is being enacted to protect the health of patients, staff, volunteers, and visitors, and our community. What is a visitor? A visitor is any person who is at CCHS to accompany a patient, or any person at CCHS who is here to visit a patient. A visitor is simply anyone who does not have a personal medical reason to be within a CCHS facility.

• Visitors are limited to 1 or 2 essential support persons per patient. Essential support persons must be 18 years of age or older and in good health. Exceptions may be made for special circumstances (obstetrics patients, end-of-life or critically ill patients).
• Visitors who are at high risk of severe illness (over the age of 60 or have underlying health conditions) should not visit patients at CCHS.
• People who eat in the cafeteria or walk the halls daily are asked to discontinue this practice until further notice.
• Additional friends or family members can keep our community healthier by using phone or video technology to connect with loved ones who are hospitalized rather than waiting in public spaces, where person-to-person transmission of illness can happen.

Are all CCHS services still up and running? As of March 15, 2020, all CCHS services are up and running as usual. We encourage you to keep your appointments, whether you are going to Atlantic Medical Center, Rehabilitation Services, Senior Life Solutions, Cardiac Rehab, or any other department. We also encourage you to seek care at AMC Rapid Care or the Emergency Department as needed. If you develop fever and/or respiratory symptoms, then you should call your provider’s office prior to coming into any CCHS facility.