Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic

CDC Coronavirus Graphic
The City of Dubuque Health Services Department is working in partnership with the Dubuque County Health Department, the Dubuque County Healthcare Preparedness Coalition, and the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) to prepare for and minimize the impacts of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, in our community.

STAY HOME, STAY SAFE:  
Physical/social distancing is encouraged to slow the spread of the virus.

Recent Updates

APRIL 1: 52 Additional Positive Cases in Iowa, One Additional in Dubuque County
IDPH has been notified of 52 additional positive cases of Iowans with COVID-19, including one additional case for Dubuque County, for a total of 549 positive cases. CLICK HERE for the full update.

MARCH 31: Update from the County Public Health Incident Management Team
This update includes the latest from the IDPH, the video update, reminders on physical distancing, and mask donation info.   CLICK HERE for the full update.

MARCH 30: Local Healthcare Provider Media Conference & Case Updates
Dubuque’s four main healthcare providers held a media conference and the IDPH reported 88 additional positive cases of Iowans with COVID-19, including five in Dubuque County. CLICK HERE for the full update.

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Trusted Information Sources

What You Can Do To Protect Yourself and Others

Even if you are young, or otherwise healthy, you are at risk and your activities can increase the risk of others. It is critical that you do your part to slow the spread of COVID-19.

  • Stay home as much as possible.
  • Avoid all unnecessary contact with others.
  • Only go out for essentials like food, medicine, and health care.
  • Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, counter tops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks. The Iowa Department of Public Health offers detailed cleaning and disinfection guidance.
  • Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available. 
  • Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow/inside of arm.
  • Stay home if you are sick and do not go out in public until you are free of fever (100.4° F [37.8° C] or greater using an oral thermometer) or have signs of a fever, and any other symptoms for at least 72 hours, without the use of fever-reducing or other symptom-altering medicines (e.g. Tylenol, ibuprofen, cough suppressants), and at least 7 days have passed since your symptoms first appeared.

Are You at Higher Risk for Severe Illness?

COVID-19 is a new disease and there is limited information regarding risk factors for severe disease. Based on currently available information and clinical expertise, older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions might be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19. The CDC has information on additional measures those at higher risk should take.

COVID-19 Symptoms

If you suspect you are infected with COVID-19, call ahead before visiting a medical facility so they can prepare. Do not go to an emergency room with mild symptoms. The symptoms of COVID-19 are:

  • fever
  • cough
  • shortness of breath

Call your doctor right away if you experience these symptoms and have:

  • been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19, or
  • recently traveled from an area with ongoing community spread

The CDC has a factsheet with more information about what to do if you are sick with COVID-19.

About Coronavirus (COVID-19)

  • The virus causing COVID-19 is a new coronavirus that has not been previously identified, and causes a respiratory illness ranging from a mild cold-like illness to severe respiratory disease.
  • Similar to influenza, the people who are most likely to have severe disease and complications from COVID-19 are believed to be the very old, very young and those with other chronic or underlying medical conditions.
  • No vaccine or treatment is currently available for COVID-19, so prevention is very important.

How the virus spreads

  • COVID-19 is believed to spread primarily the same way the common cold or flu spreads—through respiratory droplets that are produced when someone coughs or sneezes.
  • People who are most at risk of becoming infected with COVID-19 are those who have been in close contact (within about 6 feet) with someone who has the disease. 
  • People are thought to be most contagious when they are most symptomatic (the sickest).

View a list of COVID-19 FAQs