Another resident of Pottawattamie District has died in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pottawattamie County Public Health reported the third COVID-19 related death in the county – Wednesday afternoon. The patient is an elderly man, aged 81 and older, from Council Bluffs who has a pre-existing medical condition.
“We regret reporting the third death related to COVID-19 in Pottawattamie County,” Matt Wyant said with Pottawattamie County Public Health. “Our deepest condolences with the families of these individuals.”
The district also reported seven new COVID-19 cases, all of which were residents of Council Bluffs. Three of the cases were 18-40 years old; both aged 41-60 years; and two are 61-80 years old. These people were tested between May 11 and May 18. So far, 2,191 Pottawattamie County residents have been tested for COVID-19, and a total of 189 have been tested positive.
An additional five people have recovered, bringing the total recovery to 96. At present, four people are hospitalized, 83 people isolate themselves. Based on investigations of PCPH contact tracing, a total of 63 Pottawattamie County COVID-19 cases were the result of community outreach.
For additional information on COVID-19, including demographics of cases filtered by county, visit the Iowa Department of Public Health’s COVID-19 dashboard in coronavirus.iowa.gov. The dashboard is updated daily and contains the total number of cases, recovery, death, tests carried out, and the Iowa epidemiological curve.
PCPH continues to investigate contact tracing for each COVID-19 case. If and when risks to the general public are identified, PCPH will publicly identify the location and communicate any action that must be taken publicly.
Because we have the spread of COVID-19 in the community, individuals must take precautions to protect themselves. Stay at home as much as possible, limit travel and shopping, practice social distance by staying at least six feet from other people. Wash hands and disinfect surfaces that are often touched several times per day. If you are sick, stay home.
Iowans are encouraged to go to testIowa.com and complete the assessment. TestIowa is an initiative designed to improve COVID-19 testing rates in Iowa. If you have COVID-19 symptoms or develop symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath), contact your health care provider before going to the doctor’s office or emergency room.
Look at the numbers in the region, based on data provided by countries and coronavirus.iowa.gov:
Pottawattamie County – 189 cases, 2,191 tests, 96 recovery, three deaths, 8% of those tested positive
Mills County – 13 cases, 516 tests, 10 recovery, 2.5%
Harrison County – 18 cases, 333 tests, 17 recovery, 5.4%
Shelby County – 24 cases, 230 tests, 20 recoveries, 10.9%
Montgomery County – five cases, 204 tests, five recoveries, 2.5%
Page County – 10 cases, 448 tests, nine recovery, 2.2%
Cass County – three cases, 255 tests, one recovery, 1.2%
Monona Region – 18 cases, 254 tests, 13 recoveries, 7.1%
Crawford County – 410 cases, 1,375 tests, 207 recovery, one death, 29.8%
Fremont County – four cases, 103 tests, two recoveries, 3.9%
At the regional Regional Medical Coordination Center four, which includes Pottawattamie, Mills, Harrison, Cass, Crawford, Shelby, Fremont, Montgomery, Page, Adams, Audubon and Taylor County, there are seven patients who are hospitalized. Four patients in intensive care. Two COVID-19 patients were hospitalized in the past 24 hours.
The region has 208 inpatient beds, 42 intensive care beds available and 67 ventilators available. No patient was admitted to the hospital using a ventilator.
The Governor of Iowa is opening a movie theater, zoo, and bar soon
Cinemas, museums, zoos and wedding receptions in Iowa will reopen on Friday, Governor Kim Reynolds said on Wednesday when he expressed confidence that the state could respond if there was an outbreak.
Reopening in time for Memorial Day activities is a state campsite toilet, bathroom and cabin. Campers will be allowed for tents and all campers, but playgrounds, shelter and visitor centers remain closed.
Reynolds said the bar could be reopened next week with a 50% capacity. He also said it was time for summer school-sponsored activities such as softball and baseball to continue on June 1 and that he would give more details Thursday about the school.
Reynolds said the country’s testing capabilities allowed officials to track and respond to any outbreaks that might occur.
Reynolds said he believes new cases and reports of death are stable, although the country continues to see around 200 to 300 new positive cases a day and a dozen deaths.
“We have shown that we have the resources to manage any kind of increase or increase,” he said.
Casinos are not included in the governor’s plan, and Reynolds said conversations were ongoing with the industry to determine how they would be reopened.
Modern toilets, cabins will open Memorial Day weekend in the Iowa state park
Iowa State Park will open modern restrooms, bath buildings and cabins starting Friday in time for Memorial Day weekend. This means the camp will be open to all campers, including RVs, pop-ups and tent camping. The youth group campsite will remain closed.
Customers need to call the local park office (for Backbone cabins, contact the Backbone concession holder) to rent a cabin with the earliest arrival date is Friday or Saturday. Additionally, a state park online reservation system will be available today for state park cabin / yurt rentals with a date of arrival no earlier than Sunday, if available and so on. Existing cabin / yurt bookings will be honored.
Shelter, huts, playgrounds, group camps, museums and visitor centers remain closed at this time.
Park visitors are reminded to avoid group meetings larger than 10. DNR park staff will continue to remind and educate visitors to practice maintaining physical distance while enjoying the park. Visitors must also be aware of the following guidelines:
• At the campsite, only camping with overnight bookings is permitted; no visitors.
• Only six occupants overnight per camp will be permitted, unless close relatives contain more than six.
• Picnic tables and grills are open for use at your own risk.
• The beach remains open, but will be watched closely.
• For cabin rentals, all kitchen utensils, such as plates, pans and pans, have been removed; tenants need to bring their own home. Additionally, the check-in time has been moved to 5 p.m. and check-out time is until 9 am (each from 4 am and 11 am) to allow for more cleaning between rentals.
• Some park and campsite areas may be closed due to construction or maintenance issues, so please check the specific closing information for each park before planning a camping trip.
For the latest closure information for state parks, campgrounds, and trails, visit: iowadnr.gov/places-to-go/state-parks/alerts-and-closures
Iowa has 68 state parks and 4 state forests for visitors to enjoy with hiking trails, lake recreation, and camping, to learn more visit: iowadnr.gov/places-to-go/state-parks or iowadnr.gov/things-to-do/camping
Strategic Air Command and Space Museum to be reopened to the public
After voluntarily closing March 16 in response to a rapidly developing situation with the COVID-19 novel coronavirus, the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum has reopened its doors to the general public. The museum is open every day from 9 am to 5 pm. This includes all exhibitions, flight simulators, gift shops and SAC Lunch Café. In addition, Summer Camp programming will run according to schedule starting June 8.
Both guests and staff are required to wear masks at all times when visiting the museum. Signs and notifications throughout the museum are also made to remind guests and staff to exercise to maintain social distance. Visitors are asked to review additional guidelines and safety measures that apply to staff and guests on the museum’s website before visiting.
“This is an uncertain time for a museum with a twenty-five percent chance it will not reopen,” said Executive Director Jeff Cannon. “There is no doubt that tourism-oriented businesses such as museums, attractions, hotels and airlines will continue to have significant challenges over the next few years. I am proud to see the efforts made by our team in all departments. Within days of closing, the team turned to a new normal, adapted and planned our future by offering virtual programs in the main pillars of education, veterans, and the community. And in preparation for reopening, the team has implemented current guidelines to ensure the safety of staff and visitors. “
To show appreciation for those who have served at the forefront during this crisis, the museum extends free entry to all health workers, active military and veterans and First Respondents this Memorial Day weekend.
“Museum staff have worked very hard to provide a safe environment for our visitors. Offering free entrance tickets to these frontline workers along with peace of mind that they can enjoy their time here, means a lot to us. We are proud to provide this opportunity, “said John Lefler, Jr., marketing manager for the museum.
Information on visitor guides and upcoming museum events is available at sacmuseum.org.
Information about COVID-19
Pottawattamie District Public Health says every day: “Because we have the spread of COVID-19 in the community, individuals must take precautions to protect themselves. Stay at home as much as possible, limit travel and shopping. If you have to leave home, practice keeping a social distance, and stay at least 6 feet from others. Wash hands and disinfect surfaces that are often touched several times per day. If you are sick, alone at home. “
Symptoms in people who have been exposed to the con virus can include fever, coughing and shortness of breath, according to the Iowa Department of Public Health. The symptoms can appear only in two days or as long as 14 days after exposure. Most people experience mild or moderate symptoms that go away in two to three weeks.
Older adults and people with existing health problems are among those who are very susceptible to more severe illnesses, including pneumonia.
The testing criteria are based on guidance from the Iowa Hygienic Lab or private laboratory guidelines. Pottawattamie’s Regional Public Health has no role in deciding who does and is not tested.
Public health officials recommend:
- Stay home as much as possible.
- Monitor the symptoms for yourself.
- Contact your doctor if symptoms appear.
- Cover the cough and sneeze with a tissue or upper arm / elbow.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water.
- Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces that are frequently touched.
The Methodist Health System offers a community hotline and screening tool at 402-815-SICK (7425). CHI Health has an assistance channel to answer questions and direct patients who may be at high risk for coronavirus. Visit chihealth.com for information.
The Pottawattamie District Emergency Management Agency has a COVID-19 call center that is open from 8 am to 4 pm. Monday to Friday 712-890-5368 or 712-890-5369.
For those who struggle with mental health during a pandemic, yourlifeiowa.org has several resources, including a hotline at 855-581-8111 and a text friendly line at 855-895-8398. In addition, the Hope 4 Iowa Crisis Hotline connects individuals in crisis to the hands that help with resources to overcome and improve mental health. Hotlines are available 24 hours a day. Call 84-HOPE-4-IOWA (844-673-4469).
The University of Nebraska Medical Center has a COVID-19 – COVID 1-Check screening application, allowing users to answer a series of questions and assess their likelihood of having COVID-19. Based on user input, the screening application will issue a “low risk,” “urgent risk” or “emergent risk” assessment and guide the individual towards the next possible steps.
Besides, open it coronavirus.iow.gov, pcema-ia.org, and / or cdc.gov for more information.
– Associated Press reporter David Pitt and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources contributed to this report.