DES MOINES, Iowa - The Polk County Health Department is strongly urging residents to celebrate Labor Day weekend with extreme precaution.
The department released guidelines for safety over the holiday Tuesday, noting the state has seen an alarming increase of positive COVID-19 cases.
The White House Coronavirus Task Force has singled out Iowa as having the highest rate of new COVID-19 cases in the country. The Task Force identified Polk, Johnson and Story counties as the counties with the highest number of new COVID-19 cases in the past three weeks.
The county health department is asking residents to limit outings, use delivery services and keep gatherings to 10 or fewer people.
“Holiday weekends do not give us a free pass to forget about COVID-19,” said Helen Eddy, director of Polk County Health Department. “The people you are around and the places you go over the weekend not only impacts you but your family and those around you.”
Polk County Health Department Guidelines for Labor Day Weekend are listed below:
- If you don’t have to go places, don’t. Limit outings and utilize delivery services.
- Limit the number of people attending gatherings or events to 10 people or less.
- Continue to wear masks and maintain at least 6 feet social distance wherever you go.
- If you are in quarantine for COVID-19, stay in quarantine for a full 14 days even if you test negative.
- If you are sick, stay home and avoid others until you feel well.
- If you have COVID-19 and are sick, follow the guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- If you have been tested for COVID-19, stay home and avoid others until you have your test results.