As of June 19, 2020, ManorCare Health Services, 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.
ManorCare is one of six long term care facilities in Linn County which experienced an outbreak of COVID-19. A total of 51 residents and staff tested positive for COVID-19, 38 individuals recovered, and 13 residents died.
Linn County Public Health and ManorCare worked diligently to stop the spread of COVID-19, with assistance from the Iowa Department of Public Health. Upon identification of the outbreak, ManorCare 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 very proud of the hard work and dedication of our staff during this challenging time, and their ability to help patients overcome this virus and get back to their lives. We also want to express our gratitude to Linn County Public Health, our community partners, and especially, our patients’ family members, who have continually offered their support and encouragement during this unprecedented time.”
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.
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Linn County Public Health, an agency within Linn County government, serves more than 225,000 residents of Linn County to prevent disease and injury, promote healthy living, protect the environment, and ensure public health preparedness. Learn more at linncounty.org/health or by calling 319-892-6000. Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LCPublicHealth and follow us on Twitter @LCPublicHealth.