DES MOINES, Iowa - Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has ordered a partial activation of the State Emergency Operations Center to prepare for possible future coronavirus cases.
There have been no COVID-19 coronavirus diagnoses in Iowa, yet. Should that change, the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management is will raise the level of activation.
More people in Iowa are being tested and monitored for possible coronavirus.
The State Department of Public Health says as of 8:00 a.m. on March 8, 2020, 17 people have been tested for coronavirus in Iowa. 15 of those tests are negative. The results of two are still pending.
11 people are being monitored right now.
Anyone who has visited countries where coronavirus cases are high is asked to self-quarantine for two weeks after returning to Iowa.
Hospitals across Iowa are putting restrictions in place for visitors, to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses including flu, RSV, and potentially coronavirus.
Hospitals in Des Moines, Iowa City, Dubuque, Davenport, Mason City and many other locations have posted visitor restrictions, until further notice.
CLICK HERE for more information on COVID-19 coronavirus from the Iowa Department of Public Health.
Photo of coronavirus from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.