DES MOINES, Iowa - There are now three presumptive cases of coronavirus COVID-19 in Iowa, and 8 more test results are pending.
Testing at Iowa’s State Hygienic Laboratory indicates three positive cases of COVID-19 in people who are all from Johnson County.
The Iowa Department of Public Health reports one is a middle-age adult (41-60 years) and the two others are older adults (61-80 years). Two of the individuals had underlying health conditions. None of the three has required hospitalization and all three are recovering at home in isolation.
The three were part of a cruise in Egypt, according to Dr. Caitlin Pedati, Iowa Department of Public Health Medical Director and Iowa State Epidemiologist.
“These cases are an important reminder that all Iowans need to help prevent the spread of illness by washing hands frequently, staying home when ill, and covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue,” says Dr. Pedati.
No additional or special precautions are recommended for Iowans beyond simple daily precautions already encouraged to combat the flu including washing hands frequently, covering coughs and sneezes, and staying home when ill.
Final testing confirmation is pending from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Iowa Emergency Ops Center activated for COVID-19 response
By Trent Rice, Wendy Wilde