(Council Bluffs) Pottawattamie County Public Health reported 18 new cases of COVID-19 on Saturday. Sixteen of the confirmed cases are residents of Council Bluffs, one is from Carter Lake, and one is from Oakland. One of the cases is a child (0-18), six individuals are 18-40 years old, five are 41-60 years old, and six elderly adults, (80+). These individuals were tested between May 9 and May 14.
Thus far, 1,919 Pottawattamie County residents have been tested for COVID-19, and a total of 149 individuals have tested positive. Currently, one individual is hospitalized, 90 individuals are self-isolating, 55 have fully recovered, one moved out-of-state, and there are two deaths. The majority of the positive cases have not required hospitalization and fully recovered at home. Based on PCPH contact tracing investigations, 52 Pottawattamie County COVID-19 cases are the result of community spread.
The Pottawattamie County COVID-19 Response Task Force created a community reopening reference guide that providers local businesses, organizations, and resident with information regarding openings, closures, and restrictions related to Governor Reynold’s proclamations. This guide can be found on the Pottawattamie County EMA COVID-19 website.
For additional COVID-19 information, including case demographics filtered by county, visit the Iowa Department of Public Health dashboard at coronavirus.iowa.gov. The dashboard is updated daily and contains Iowa’s total number of cases, recoveries, deaths, tests conducted, and epidemiological curve.
PCPH continues to conduct contract tracing investigations for each COVID-19 case. If and when a risk to the general public is identified, PCPH will publically identify the location and communicate any actions the public should take.
Because there is community spread of COVID-19, individuals should take precautions to protect themselves. Stay home as much as possible, limit travel and shopping, practice social distancing by staying at least six-feet away from others. Wash hands and disinfect frequently touched surfaces multiple times per day. If you’re sick, stay home.
Iowans are encouraged to go to www.testiowa.com and complete the assessment. Testiowa is an initiative designed to increase the rate of COVID-19 testing in Iowa. If you have COVID-19 symptoms or develop symptoms, (fever, cough, shortness of breath), contact your healthcare provider before going to the doctor’s office or an emergency room.
