(Montgomery Co.) As reported yesterday, Montgomery County’s first case of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has been confirmed by the Iowa Department of Public Health. The Montgomery County Public Health Agency has completed their investigation with the patient and will continue to track and monitor the patient’s status over the next several days. The individual is a middle-age female (41-60 years) and is self-isolating at home.
“Montgomery County Public Health will continue to follow Iowa privacy laws while being as transparent as possible to the public and release information as approved by the Iowa Department of Public Health. We have no control if other agencies outside of Montgomery County Public Health release additional information regarding this case or any future cases. Montgomery County Public Health’s general practice will be to not disclose specific towns or cities of where residents with confirmed positive tests reside. However, we will share as much information as we are legally able to” stated Samantha Beeson, Montgomery County Public Health Administrator.
Iowa Code section 139A.3(2)(b) provides that information regarding disease investigations “provided to or maintained by the department, a local board, or a local department, which identifies a person infected with or exposed to a reportable or other disease or health condition, is confidential and shall not be accessible to the public.”
“Even though this case is directly related to out of state travel, there is community spread of COVID-19 within the State of Iowa, detailed tracing is no longer necessary, as we know the virus is circulating within the State and the risk of virus spread is the same for all community members, not just those in close contact with the person who tested positive,” stated Beeson.
This is Montgomery County’s first case of COVID-19, it may not be the last, and that’s why we encourage all residents to adhere to guidelines and restrictions provided by the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC).
- Washing your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds each time.
- Covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow/upper arm.
- Staying home when ill.
To find more information on Isolation Guidance for Iowans (Updated 3/22/2020), follow the below link. https://idph.iowa.gov/Portals/1/userfiles/7/3_22_20%20FINALIsolation%20guidance%20for%2 0Iowans.pdf
For up-to-date information on COVID-19, visit the Iowa Coronavirus webpage at https://coronavirus.iowa.gov/
