COVID-19 Situation Report – 3/23/2020 | KNIA KRLS Radio

Posted By: Andrew Schneider
March 23, 2020 @ 12:41 pm
Coronavirus

Photo from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

2019 Coronavirus Situation Update – As of 3/23/2020 – 11:00am

All information included in this Situation Report is current as of the time and date identified above. All
Information in regular text is current information. All text with strikethrough text identify outdated

or completed information. New information is highlighted.

For Immediate Release: March 23, 2020
Marion County Joint Information Center
Contact: Rachel Garner, Asst Director, Public Information Officer
Marion County Public Health Department
641-828-2238 x 223
COVID-19 Community Spread Confirmed in Iowa, Marion County Leadership take additional measures to
limit the spread within the county. There are no current reported, positive cases in Marion County.
The Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a rapidly, changing situation. Due to detection of substantial
community spread in Iowa, new recommendations are being made and new mitigation measures should
be implemented immediately for Marion County residents.
• Community spread occurs when individuals have been infected with the virus in an area and
cannot specifically identify the source of the infection, or do not know how or where they became
infected.
• The CDC recommends the following home isolation measures be taken if you are sick and if you
will not have a test to see if you are still contagious. You can leave your sick room and home
when:
o No fever for at least 72 hours (3 days) AND
o Other symptoms have improved AND
o It has been 7 days since you started feeling sick.

COVID-19 New Details:
• 3/22/20 The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) has been notified of 22 additional positive
cases of Iowans with COVID-19, for a total of 90 positive cases. There have been 1,215 negative
tests conducted at the State Hygienic Lab to date.
• Gov. Reynolds issues a State of Public Health Disaster Emergency

https://governor.iowa.gov/press-release/gov-reynolds-issues-a-state-of-public-health-disaster-
emergency

• Thu, 03/19/2020 – 17:07 – The governor’s office and the Iowa Department of Public Health will be
transitioning to mid-morning updates as testing capabilities have expanded.
What can Marion County residents do to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19?
• Please follow all media releases regarding COVID-19 in Marion County, Iowa by visiting:
o Facebook: https://fb.me/MarionCountyIAResponsetoCOVID19
o Twitter: https://twitter.com/MarionCoCOVID19

2019 Coronavirus Situation Update – As of 3/23/2020 – 11:00am

or completed information. New information is highlighted.

• Residents should continue following CDC Recommended guidelines to prevent the spread of
COVID-19:
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based
hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your mouth with your upper arm or tissue when coughing or sneezing.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Social distancing – remain 6 or more feet away from other individuals
• No group activities with 10+ people
Disinfecting your home if someone is sick: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-
ncov/prepare/disinfecting-your-home.html
Steps to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 if you are sick: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-
ncov/if-you-are-sick/steps-when-sick.html
Local News in Marion County:
Food Relief
• All food relief information for Marion County schools and residents will be updated live. Please
check this link daily as information is rapidly changing:

https://comarionia-
my.sharepoint.com/:w:/g/personal/rgarner_marioncountyiowa_gov/EaVqpX3oKqpPmDspZ-
NLi4wB91dogcoNVeQFsSQhCMbksA?e=EpUvvC

o Twin Cedars is currently developing a plan.

Childcare
• Iowa DHS has created a real time map with all of the available childcare resources for essential
employees who are in need of childcare for their children. To see childcare availability in your
area, please visit:
ArcGIS Dashboards
0f19
• Access to child care for essential employees is a high priority. Please have any essential
employee who need child care contact Child Care Resource and Referral for personalized
assistance:
o Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Talk to a Parent Referral Specialist: 855-244-5301
o Email our Parent Referral team: childcare@caeiowa.org
o Parent information can be accessed: https://iowaccrr.org/families/
o Child Care Resource and Referral are dedicated to contacting all childcare businesses
and keeping our database as current as possible for openings. We are also available to
help address any other childcare concerns your county may be experiencing. Please
contact us if we can be of assistance to your local planning. https://iowaccrr.org/staff/
• This is an assessment of need and not a guarantee of a service that will be provided.
The Goal: Ensure working parents serving in critical roles, defined below, who are impacted by
school closures continue to have access to childcare.
For those parents with children 12 years old and younger, or a child with special needs up to age
19, DHS will ensure access to childcare located at a school-based or alternative site.

2019 Coronavirus Situation Update – As of 3/23/2020 – 11:00am

or completed information. New information is highlighted.

ELIGIBILITY: Parents offered this service will be limited to a two-parent household who both
work, or single-parent who works, in the following fields:
– All hospital staff;
– All healthcare providers in private practice and all direct care staff;
– Staff who provide critical government infrastructure: examples include: social services,
child protection services, public health officials, tax collection, corrections and other public safety;
– Emergency responders;
– Food service workers, including grocery store staff and limited restaurant staff to include
supporting take-away options; and
– Others as approved by the Director of Human Services.
If this applies to your current situation, please respond with your information including how many
of your children would need child care on an emergency basis to:
childcareinfo@marioncountyiowa.gov
Hospitals
• Pella Regional Temporarily Suspending Elective Surgeries effective Monday, March 23 in
response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Patient and Visitor Screenings and Restrictions are in Place at Pella Regional Health Center
beginning at 6:30 am on Tuesday, March 17th . Please visit https://www.pellahealth.org/ for more
details. For more information and maps of open entrances, please visit

https://www.pellahealth.org/about-us/news/patient-and-visitor-screenings-and-restrictions-in-
place-at-pell/

• Knoxville Hospital & Clinics Limits Public Entrances, Implements Screening in Vehicles
o Beginning Wednesday, March 18, Knoxville Hospital & Clinics (KHC) is limiting the
number of public entrances to campus. All patients and visitors will be screened in their
vehicles prior to entering the KHC campus.
o Please visit https://knoxvillehospital.org/ for more details.
• The Knoxville Good Samaritan Free Clinic at the Activity Center will be closed as of March 23rd
.

Other County Information
• Please take note of all the ways you can continue to shop local to stimulate our local economy all
while keeping you and your family safe.
https://www.knoxvilleiachamber.com/covid-19-community-resources/

• Know the facts about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and help stop the spread of rumors.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/share-
facts.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-

ncov%2Fabout%2Fshare-facts.html

• The IMPACT Army Post, Jasper County, Marion County, and Warren County Resource Centers
will be closed at this time but will still offer all services over the phone. IMPACT Marion County
Resource Center: 641-842-6571
• For the City of Pella COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Information and Closure Updates please visit:
https://www.cityofpella.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=864
• In accordance with President Trump’s “15 Days to Control the Spread,” the Marion County Board
of Supervisors urges residents to suspend all non-essential travel (including work and vacation
travel) until further notice.
• The Marion County Board of Supervisors approved the suspension of certain county government
functions effective 3/18/20. Most departments are closed to the public but are still available by
phone and/or email.
o Please visit https://www.marioncountyiowa.gov/covid_19.htm for this and other county
related information and closures.
o County Attorney

2019 Coronavirus Situation Update – As of 3/23/2020 – 11:00am

or completed information. New information is highlighted.

o Marion County Courthouse offices will move from the Historic Marion County
courthouse on the square to East Elementary School Monday, March 23rd –
Wednesday, Marcy 25th, 2020. The County Attorney’s Office in coordination with
the judicial branch continue to reschedule hearings in accordance with all
supreme court directives. We hope to have that process completed by early
next week. Again if you have court date set in the next few weeks, please
contact your attorney directly. If you don’t recall who your attorney is, contact
the clerk of courts office. If you have misplaced your attorneys phone number, a
list of attorneys who regularly appear in Marion county is available on the County
Website. https://www.marioncountyiowa.gov/offices/attorney/index.htm
o Jury Duty. Anyone who received notice that you were a perspective juror for
March of 2020. You service has concluded, and you need not call in anymore.
For April jurors. You will need to start calling the number listed on your summons
on April 17.
o Human Resources
Anyone wishing to apply for a posted job with Marion County, you may still drop off your
completed paperwork at 3014 E Main Street, Knoxville, Iowa.

• In an effort to implement social distancing practices recommended to slow the spread of COVID-
19, The City of Knoxville offices, including City Hall, Police Department, Fire Station and

Public Works will be closed to the public effective Thursday, March 19, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. until
further notice. While these facilities are closed to walk-in traffic, City Services will continue to be
provided online, via email or by phone. For more information please contact
https://www.knoxvilleia.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=243
• Representation from both Knoxville and Pella area hospitals are requested for the next Marion
County Board of Supervisors meeting/press conference to be held on every Monday and Friday
at 1pm, location 3014 E. Main Street, Knoxville, IA 50138. Only one representative is requested
per hospital in order to limit the amount of participants during this meeting.
Other News
• President Trump has made a proclamation declaring a National Emergency concerning the Novel
Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) outbreak
o The President’s Coronavirus Guidelines for America:15 Days to Slow the Spread as of

3/16/20. https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/03.16.20_coronavirus-
guidance_8.5x11_315PM.pdf

• Gov. Reynolds signed a Proclamation of Disaster Emergency, activating the disaster response
and recovery aspects of the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency
Management’s Iowa Emergency Response Plan.
Businesses
• 3/22/20 Gov. Reynolds announced that all salons, barber shops, massage spas, and tattoo
parlors are to close at 10:00pm today.
• Small Business Loans – 3/21/20 Governor Reynolds announced yesterday that the U.S. Small
Business Administration (SBA) has issued a disaster declaration for the state of Iowa as of
January 31, 2020 and continuing. The declaration allows pandemic-impacted small businesses to
apply for low-interest support loans. The declaration comes after Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds
submitted a federal funding request via the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program.
o Applications can be made via the SBA’s website: https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/
o Applicants can monitor the status of their applications online after submission.
o For questions, please contact the SBA disaster assistance customer service center at 1-
800-659-2955 (TTY: 1-800-877-8339) or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.
• The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) needs to assess the impact of the
pandemic in Iowa. To assist in these efforts, please complete this survey, developed by

2019 Coronavirus Situation Update – As of 3/23/2020 – 11:00am

or completed information. New information is highlighted.

University of Northern Iowa – Institute for Decision Making, to tell us what your business is
experiencing and how your business is handling the current crisis.

• Governor Reynolds signed a Proclamation of Disaster Emergency during the morning of
March 17, 2020, requesting the closure of the hospitality sector statewide beginning at noon
on 03/17/2020. These services include: restaurants and bar, theaters, casinos and gaming
facilities, mass gatherings (social, spiritual, religious, recreational, etc), senior citizen centers
and adult daycare facilities, all fitness centers, health clubs, health spas, gyms, aquatic
centers shall be closed continuing until 11:59 p.m. on March 31, 2020.
• effective Noon on March 17, 2020 and continuing until 11:59 p.m. on March 31, 2020
o Senior Citizen Centers and Adult Daycare Facilities: All facilities that conduct adult
day services or other senior citizen centers are hereby closed.

o https://governor.iowa.gov/press-release/gov-reynolds-issues-a-state-of-public-health-
disaster-emergency

• CDC Resources for Businesses and Employers: Plan, prepare, and respond to coronavirus
disease 2019. Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers, Interim US Guidance for
Risk Assessment and Public Health Management of Persons with Potential Coronavirus
Disease 2019, Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection Recommendations can be found at:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/businesses-
employers.html

• Iowa Workforce Development updates and resources about COVID-19:
https://www.iowaworkforcedevelopment.gov/updates-and-resources-about-covid-19
• Tattoo parlors, salons, barbershops and tanning salons are not required to be closed under
the declaration. They should be encouraged to do health screening for staff and clients
before allowing people in. If people are sick or exhibiting signs of illness they should be asked
to go home. Enhanced attention to sanitation and a focus on social distancing (i.e. keeping
patrons and staff at least 6 feet apart whenever possible) is also warranted during this time.
To the extent possible, the numbers of patrons in the establishment should also be limited
(encourage them to implement call ahead procedures).
• Iowa Business Information on COVID-19

o https://www.iasourcelink.com/resources/iowa-business-information-on-covid-
19

• 03/20/2020 -Details The Department of Inspections & Appeals issued a press release
regarding the immediate suspension of all routine inspections of hotels, home bakeries, and
food establishments, including restaurants, bars, and food trucks. DIA will limit inspections to
those for complaints, follow-up inspections, and preopening inspections for new businesses.

Press release may be found here: https://dia.iowa.gov/pressrelease/20200320/dia-
temporarilysuspendsfoodinspectionsduringcovid19response

DIA’s website updated here: https://dia.iowa.gov/about/novelcoronaviruscovid19

Useful links regarding COVID-19
• For more information regarding COVID-19 related unemployment insurance claims, please visit
the Iowa Workforce Development site at https://www.iowaworkforcedevelopment.gov/
• Marion County residents can find the most up-to-date information regarding COVID19 by visiting
us at our website at http://www.marioncountyiowa.gov/ , the Iowa Department of Public Health
Coronavirus, and the Centers for Disease Control Coronavirus.

• You can also learn more by visiting https://idph.iowa.gov/Emerging-Health-Issues/Novel-
Coronavirus. Along the left side of the screen, you will find guidance for your business and

organization, health care, long term care, the general public, schools, travel and prevention.
• Information regarding how COVID-19 is impacting us globally:

2019 Coronavirus Situation Update – As of 3/23/2020 – 11:00am

or completed information. New information is highlighted.