LINN COUNTY, IA – As of June 8, 2020, Cottage Grove Place, a long term care facility in Linn County, has recovered from the COVID-19 outbreak which began impacting the facility in mid-April. Recovery is defined as no new cases for two consecutive incubation periods, or 28 days.
Cottage Grove Place was one of five long term care facilities in Linn County which experienced an outbreak of COVID-19. A total of 6 residents and staff tested positive for COVID-19, 4 individuals recovered, and 2 residents died.
Linn County Public Health and Cottage Grove Place worked diligently to stop the spread of COVID-19, with assistance from the Iowa Department of Public Health. Upon identification of the outbreak, Cottage Grove Place quickly implemented measures to prevent spread of the virus, including limiting visitors, screening staff and residents for symptoms of COVID-19, designating an isolation area for ill residents with dedicated staff, isolating new residents upon admission, and implementing additional infection prevention practices. Additionally, personal protective equipment availability was assessed and adequate supplies were ensured to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
“We are pleased to announce that Cottage Grove Place is COVID free and greatly appreciate all the hard work our staff has done to make the residents and staff safe.” said Mark Bailey, Executive Director of Cottage Grove Place.
COVID-19 spreads easily and rapidly in settings where people live close together. Older adults and those with underlying chronic medical conditions are at increased risk of severe complications or death due to COVID-19 infection. Pramod Dwivedi, Linn County Public Health Director states, “Residents of long term care facilities are at increased risk of severe illness or death from COVID-19. We remind all of our community members to do their part to prevent the spread of COVID-19 within the community and to high risk individuals such as those living in long term care facilities.”
Everyone should wash hands often, cover coughs and sneezes, stay home when you are sick, practice social distancing by maintaining 6 feet between people, and wear a cloth face covering or mask when social distancing is not possible.
For more information on COVID-19, call 2-1-1 or visit www.LinnCounty.org/COVID19.