(Des Moines) Iowa Department of Public Health Deputy Director Sarah Reisetter says while sheltering in place is a tool currently being used in other states, the Iowa Department of Public Health doesn’t believe it’s a mitigation measure necessary in Iowa at this time.
Reisetter says sheltering in place for two-to-three weeks will not cause the coronavirus to go away. “That’s because this virus is circulating the world and maybe reintroduced into communities from different places,” said Reisetter. “There is no vaccine or treatment at this time, and that’s why it’s so important we use the public health’s mitigation strategies available to us at the right time.”
Reisetter adds mitigation strategies recommended by public health are used as part of a layered approach intended to slow the virus in our state. “The Iowa Department of Public Health will continue to recommend implementation of additional mitigation strategies when we determine those additional strategies to be necessary,” said Reisetter. “As we move through this public health emergency, our recommendations may change over time, depending on the data and how the virus is impacting our communities.”
Reisetter stated they (IDPH) may recommend adding additional mitigation strategies and may also recommend lifting mitigation strategies. “Think of this as a dial and not a switch,” said Reisetter. “We will recommend turning the dial-up and down over time. That’s how we will slow the spread of the virus in our state to prevent overwhelming our health care system and protect our healthcare workers and our vulnerable population.”
Reisetter says the mitigation metrics considered when making mitigation implementation include; the percent of the population 65 or older, which tells public health officials how many members of a community might be vulnerable. The percent of positive cases requiring hospitalization, the rate of infection per 100,000 Iowans in the past 14-days, and the number of outbreaks in long term care facilities. “We analyze this data daily and will continue to make recommendations necessary to slow the spread of the virus in our state.”
The current mitigation measures in place include; school closures, increased teleworking and telelearning, limiting unnecessary travel, especially for high-risk groups including Iowans over 60-years of age and Iowans with underlying health conditions.
The Iowa Department of Public reported 19 new positive cases for a total of 124 positive cases in Iowa. There are currently 2,315 negative tests, among 2,439 total tests. That includes four new counties, Buchannan, Cedar, Jasper, and Warren, for a total of 30 counties. The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) learned late today of the first death associated with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The individual was an older adult, 61-80 years of age, and a resident of Dubuque County.
