County hits new high with 22 positives reported Wednesday

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The following is a press release in it's entirety from the Lee County Health Department.

LEE COUNTY - Lee County Health Department and Iowa Department of Public Health is reporting 22 new positive COVID-19 case reports today.

In light of the recent increases in positive COVID-19 cases in Lee County, as well as other areas in southeast Iowa and neighboring states, LCHD wishes to inform the general public of the following:

If you have symptoms or suspect COVID-19 please stay home. This includes while you are waiting for your COVID test results to come back. This will help reduce exposure to others if you test positive.

If you receive positive test results for COVID-19 please stay home, in isolation, at least 10 days after your symptoms started, AND, at least 24 hours fever free without fever-reducing medication, AND, your symptoms have improved. If you test positive but do not have symptoms, stay home until after 10 days have passed since your last test. If you live with others, stay in a “sick area” away from them. Use a separate bathroom if one is available. You may be told of your positive test results before LCHD receives official notice. Feel free to call our office at 319-372-5225 so we can start contact tracing with you as soon as possible. We will work with you to help identify any close contacts of yours that you have been within 6 feet of for at least 15 minutes during your infectious period.

If you have been told you have been exposed by someone with COVID-19 or are a “close contact”, meaning you have been within 6 feet of someone for 15 minutes or more of a positive case, guidance includes completing a 14-day quarantine. This means staying home until 14 days after your last contact with the person positive with COVID-19. You will need to check your temperature twice a day and watch for symptoms of COVID-19. If you need further guidance from LCHD, please feel free to contact our office. We will attempt to reach identified close contacts during an investigation if correct information is provided.

LCHD also encourages all business owners, especially bars and restaurants and other food establishments, to continue following the current Governor’s emergency public health disaster proclamation which still requires social distancing and other recommended public health interventions at certain establishments. The Department of Inspections and Appeals, along with Alcohol Beverages Division will enforce compliance of the proclamation regarding social distancing and advanced hygiene practices at Iowa bars, restaurants, and other food establishments. Requirements still include establishments creating at least six feet of physical distance between each group or individual dining or drinking alone, all patrons must have a seat at a table or bar, and an establishment must limit patrons from congregating together closer than six feet.

We also want to remind all organizations planning events where gatherings of people may occur to review the Governor’s proclamation requirements for mass gatherings of 10 or more people.

We all have a role to play in successful community mitigation efforts for combatting this virus. Please be responsible and make informed decisions for you, your family, and our community.

Coronavirus, COVID-19, LCHD, Lee County Health Department, Pen City Current, positive cases, report

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