BOONE, Iowa—A number of Boone County agencies and governmental entities have been meeting in preparation of COVID-19 cases. As we approach the weekend, Boone County Emergency Management Coordinator Lance Kooiker released this update for Boone County residents:
We know that over the past several weeks news of the spread of the COVID-19 virus has dominated headlines. Please know that across the country including our own state and county have a number of agencies monitoring this evolving situation and developing plans to deal with and contain this new virus.
Across Boone County various agencies, school districts and healthcare organizations are working hard to protect citizens. Just as importantly, these organizations are working together to develop a coordinated response to this situation. Over the coming weeks, representatives from Boone County Public Health, all county school systems, county government officials, representatives from county communities and members of the Boone County Hospital will be meeting to share information and resources. All of these agencies listed below are relying almost entirely on information from the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
As of this date, there have been no reports of “community acquired” cases of COVID-19 in Iowa. In other words, all positive cases in our state have been found in individuals that have recently traveled outside of the US and returned to Iowa. All of the current responses and plans developed in Boone County have been developed with this in mind. However, if community acquired cases or cases of transmission of the virus from individuals within our community appear, we will be implementing more aggressive steps to address the problem at that time.
A key function of the group is to plan for “worst case” scenarios that could develop as the number of cases grows across the country. If the spread of the virus continues across the state, a number of issues centering such as employee health, the impact on our school systems, and the implications on services like childcare, could impact nearly everyone in the county. This group will continue to meet together throughout this pandemic to evaluate the information we have from IDPH in order to develop plans to help address the important issues that could arise for our citizens.
In the meantime, please continue to follow the important infection control practices that will help to keep you and your family safe. Wash your hands frequently. Cover your mouth with your upper arm when you cough or sneeze. Stay home when you are sick. Clean and disinfect the surfaces that you frequently touch. Avoid large groups when possible and avoid close contact with people who are sick.
If you do become ill, look for symptoms like fever, cough, and shortness of breath, particularly if you or some you are close to has recently returned from overseas travel. If your symptoms are concerning, seek medical attention, but please contact your provider before arriving so that you can be screened and treated outside of common waiting room spaces.
As you are aware, this situation is evolving daily. This group and its individual member organizations will provide updates as our response to this public health emergency develops. Remember, that the best places to receive the most up-to-date information regarding COVID-19 are the Iowa Department of Public Health (idph.iowa.gov) and the Centers for Disease Control (cdc.gov).
Thank you,
Boone County Public Health Boone County Emergency Management
Boone County Supervisors City of Boone
Boone County Sheriff’s Department Boone Police and Fire
Boone Community School District Ogden Community Schools
United Community Schools Madrid Community Schools
Boone County Hospital Boone County Board of Health
For up-to-date information on COVID-19, visit the IDPH web page at https://idph.iowa.gov/Emerging-Health-Issues/Novel-Coronavirus
(contributed press release, Boone County Emergency Management)
