(Council Bluffs) Pottawattamie County Public Health today reports that Country House, a memory care facility in Council Bluffs, is experiencing a COVID-19 outbreak, which the Iowa Department of Public Health defines as three or more residents in a long-term care facility testing positive for COVID-19.
Although the Country House is not classified as a long-term care facility by the state of Iowa, Pottawattamie County Public Health is responding to the outbreak in the same way they would respond to an outbreak in a long-term care facility. Pottawattamie County Public Health is working closely with local partners, Iowa Department of Public Health, and Country House to monitor the situation and provide guidance on containment and mitigation strategies.
Country House has conducted COVID-19 testing on all residents and staff members at the facility. As of today, 10 residents and one employee have tested positive for COVID-19.
Pottawattamie County Public Health will release additional details as they become available.
“Country House adapted several COVID-19 mitigation measures early on, including restricting visitors, use of PPE, and screening staff at all shifts,” said Matt Wyant with PCPH. “Despite their precautionary efforts, the virus has regrettably been introduced to Country House.”
“First and foremost, our concern is the health and safety of our residents and our staff,” said Marty Hug, Chief Operating Officer for Agemark. “As an organization, we took very proactive measures to protect all of our people – residents and staff alike. Right now, we have activated our emergency response procedures and our dedicated team of health care professionals is doing everything in their power to contain additional spread and is providing exceptional care for our residents.”
You can find more information regarding Country House’s COVID-19 response at https://www.agemark.com/covid-19/.