News Flash

LINN COUNTY, IA – A significant increase in the number of COVID-19 cases were reported over two consecutive weeks, mainly among 18 to 25 year olds. This 189 percent increase from 35 to 101 new cases occurred between June 7^th and June 21^st. Continuing these mitigation strategies below are crucial in slowing community spread, saving lives, and keeping establishments open.  

• Continue to practice physical distancing. Maintain at least a 6 foot distance between yourself and others outside of your household.
• Wear of mask, or a cloth face covering, when physical distancing is difficult to maintain.
• Disinfect frequently used items and surfaces as much as possible.
• Wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer, especially after touching frequently used items or surfaces.
• Avoid touching your face.
• Sneeze or cough into a tissue, or the inside of your elbow.
• Stay home if you feel ill, no matter how mild the illness. Contact your healthcare provider.
• If positive:
  • Stay home and isolate from others in the house until you have had no fever for at least 72 hours without the use of fever reducing medication, AND
  • At least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared.
• If a contact to a positive case:
  • Contact your healthcare provider. Testing is encouraged. 
  • Self-isolate for 14 days.

While anyone is at risk for contracting COVID-19 if exposed to the virus, some are more susceptible to becoming severely ill. As many prepare for the upcoming 4^th of July holiday, Linn County Public Health urges residents to take steps to prevent getting and spreading COVID-19. These safety measures not only protect you, but they protect our community members who are more vulnerable to severe illness, and even death.

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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.