A Station for Everyone
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
News and resources regarding COVID-19

First Confirmed Case of COVID-19 in Woodbury County

FACEBOOK/Woodbury County Emergency Services

Officials with Siouxland District Health say the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Woodbury County involves a woman between the ages of 41-and-60.

“There is travel associated with this person, but it is not 100% determined that ‘yes’ this is the cause.”

That is Deputy Director of Siouxland District Health, Tyler Brock, who spoke at a news conference on Sunday. 

Health officials say because of privacy concerns they can’t say where the woman lives or where she might have visited within the county.  She is currently in self-isolation.

SDH says as the investigation continues, people with prolonged, close contact with the woman will be notified.

When asked if the community should be concerned about a shortage of testing in the area Brock says he isn’t concerned.  

“We don’t know how many because providers are sending samples to a variety of labs.  But there is plenty of testing happening.”

Health officials in Woodbury County say expect to see more cases of COVID-19 as testing starts to ramp up.

The Director of Siouxland District Health, Kevin Grieme has this advice for the community.

“We still need for residents to be individually responsible for the managing of this situation and making prevention their priority.” 

Grieme say people need to stay home as much as possible and to encourage young people to do the same.   

Other tips include social distancing, hand washing, disinfecting surfaces and staying home if you are sick.

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds issued a proclamation closing all hair salons, tanning facilitilies, pools and tattoo parlors at 10 p.m. on Sunday night.  There are now 90 confirmed cases in the state as of March 22, 2020.