First COVID-19 case reported in Winnebago County
Published 1:18 pm Monday, April 6, 2020
|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
The first case of COVID-19 was reported in Winnebago County on Monday, according to the Iowa Department of Health.
The person is between the age of 41 and 60 and is self-isolating at home, the department stated.
Confirmed COVID-19 cases in Iowa were at 946 as of Monday, according to the Iowa Department of Health.
“While this is Winnebago County’s first case, it may not be the last, and that’s why we encourage all residents to continue to make prevention a priority,” said Allison Rice, registered nurse clinical manager at Winnebago County Public Health, in a news release.
People are encouraged to wash their hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds each time, cover their coughs and sneezes with a tissue or their upper arm and stay home when ill.
Confirmed cases in Iowa were at 946 as of Monday. Twelve cases have been confirmed in Cerro Gordo County, and no cases have been confirmed in Worth County.
The release stated approximately 80% of Iowans infected with COVID-19 will experience only a mild to moderate illness. Most mildly ill Iowans do not need to go to their health care provider or be tested to confirm they have COVID-19 and should stay home and isolate themselves from others in their house.
They should stay home and isolate from others in the house until they have had no fever for at least 72 hours (without the use of medicine that reduces fevers), other symptoms such as cough or shortness of breath have improved and at least seven days have passed since symptoms first appeared.
People who think they may need health care should call first. Providers can assess whether people need to be seen in the office or if they can recover at home. There may also be options for people to talk to a medical provider from home using technology.
