Tuesday, March 24, Update

19 Additional COVID-19 Cases in Iowa
The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) has been notified of 19 additional positive cases of Iowans with COVID-19, for a total of 124 positive cases in 30 counties. There has been a total of 2,315 negative tests to date, which includes testing reported by the State Hygienic Lab and other labs.  There were no new cases confirmed for Dubuque County so the county’s total remains at 6.  For more information, visit https://idph.iowa.gov/Emerging-Health-Issues/Novel-Coronavirus

Homemade Mask Donations
The Dubuque County Public Health Incident Management Team is awaiting guidance from the IDPH on use of homemade masks as personal protective equipment (PPE).  Research is ongoing on this matter and we hope to receive guidance from the IDPH in the near future.  While the intent and support of the public in this matter is sincerely appreciated, we cannot put our healthcare workers at risk by giving them PPE that is not known to provide the necessary level of protection.  The CDC is currently advising that homemade masks are not considered PPT and should only be used as a last resort -- ideally in combination with a face shield that covers the entire front and sides of the face.  Updates on this issue will be provided when available.

Coronavirus-Related Scams
The are reports of scammers posing as government officials or healthcare professionals using phishing/fraudulent emails, text messages, phone calls, and “robo-calls” to contact people and offer COVID-19 test kits, cures, cleaning supplies, or masks. The public is reminded to hang up on robo-calls, never give out private information, delete emails from unknown people, and do not click on suspicious links. Residents who have had contact with someone confirmed to have COVID-19 will be contacted directly by the Dubuque Visiting Nurses Association (VNA) to advise them of the next steps they should take.

Governor’s Press Conference at 2:30 p.m. Today
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds will hold a press conference today at 2:30 p.m. The press conference will be livestreamed and posted in full on the Governor’s Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/IAGovernor/

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MEDIA CONTACT:
Randy Gehl, Public Information Officer
rgehl@cityofdubuque.org

This message is from the Dubuque County Public Health Incident Management Team, which includes staff from the from the Dubuque County Health Department, City of Dubuque Health Department, Dubuque County Emergency Management Agency, and the Dubuque Visiting Nurse Association.
 
Please do not reply to this message.  If you would like additional information on this issue, please visit https://dubuquecounty.org/health-department/covid-19/