Five children positive for COVID in latest LCHD report

BY CHUCK VANDENBERG
PCC EDITOR

LEE COUNTY - With the county surpassing 200 positive COVID-19 cases on Thursday, five children were reported confirmed with coronavirus among the 19 new cases revealed.

The daily chart provided by the Lee County Health Department shows that eight county residents between the age of 41-60 were confirmed positive Thursday, while children 17 and under were next highest with five, adults 18-40 saw four new cases and 61-80 had two new reports

The county is showing 214 positive cases with 69, or 32%, being reported as recovered.

Fort Madison schools reopened Friday with a half day. Holy Trinity Catholic is in a face-to-face or online curriculum, while Fort Madison Community Schools are in a A/B weekly rotation or online for the first trimester.

Lee County has seen more than 100 positive cases in the past 14 days prompting LCHD officials to issue a statement Wednesday encouraging residents to adhere to state and local health department guidelines for symptomatic and asymptomatic positive confirmations.

Those testing positive with symptoms are instructed to stay home, in isolation, for at least 10 days after symptoms start, and 24 hours without a fever without fever-reducers and improved symptoms. If asymptomatic, stay home for 10 days since last tested. If confirmed before LCHD receives notification, contact the department at 319-372-5225 to help start contact tracing.

Anyone being told of an exposure, which means being with 6 feet of someone positive for more than 15 minutes, guidance includes a 14-day quarantine including taking temperature twice daily.

At her biweekly press conference Thursday, Gov. Kim Reynolds said 44% of the August positive cases are adults age 18-40 and cautioned them to be responsible as colleges open back up.

"Younger people are most likely at low risk but are highly likely to spread it to others. Virus activity among college and young adults continues to be a concern," she said.

"Even if you aren't sick or acting responsibly, you could be spreading COVID -19. Those individuals congregating, you are potentially spreading that to others with health conditions that make COVID-19 more serious to others."