Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic

Face coverings required in public

Let's show the UNITY in community, Dubuque! Wearing a mask or face covering in public can help limit the spread of COVID-19 and we all need to do our part. It's the right thing to do and it's required for everyone* in Dubuque, effective Saturday, Aug. 8.

Details on Dubuque's face covering ordinance, including exceptions and enforcement.

As of Oct. 20, 2020, at 11 a.m.

Dubuque County Current Status

Total Confirmed Cases
4,701

Total Deaths

52

  1. 1
  2. 2

Recent Updates

Oct. 20: 36 New Cases in Dubuque County, 754 New Cases and 13 Deaths Statewide  |  Read Update

Oct. 19: 34 New Cases in Dubuque County, 523 New Cases and 8 Deaths Statewide  |  Read Update

Oct. 18: 61 New Cases in Dubuque County, 907 New Cases and 2 Deaths Statewide  |  Read Update

VIEW ALL

COVID-19 Vaccine Information

Several manufacturers are developing COVID-19 vaccines for the United States. IDPH anticipates to begin receiving initial shipments of COVID-19 vaccine late this fall. These first shipments of vaccines will be very small and prioritized for people in high-risk groups. As more vaccines become available, those groups will broaden until anyone who wants to receive the vaccine can get it. If you have general questions about the vaccine, call 211. Resource specialists are available 24 hours a day to answer basic questions. Read the COVID-19 Vaccine FAQ document.

When To Quarantine

For Business, Education, and Child Care Settings

On Sept. 29, the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) adjusted quarantine recommendations. For non-healthcare, non-residential settings, quarantine is no longer recommended if a potential exposure occurs while both the infectious individual and the close contacts are wearing face coverings consistently and correctly. See quarantine guidance from IDPH.

Halloween in COVID-19

Halloween may look a little different this year, but you can still make it fun!  Here are some alternative ways to celebrate with your friends and family.

Free Local COVID-19 Testing Options

While the Dubuque Test Iowa Clinic is still offering testing by appointment, Hartig Drug Company pharmacies and Union Family Pharmacy are also offering free COVID-19 test collection, also by appointment, in Dubuque.

Here For You: Dubuque’s Response to COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic is a global, national, and local public health and economic crisis. How we respond as a community, state, and nation is the defining challenge of our time and the City of Dubuque is committed to serving the best interests of our residents and businesses. Click here to read about Dubuque’s response and information on the adopted FY2021 budget.

City Service Changes Due to COVID-19

The City of Dubuque has made significant changes to some services and processes in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Click here for a comprehensive, up-to-date listing.

What’s Open and What’s Closed?
Per the Governor’s Proclamations as of Aug. 27, 2020 

Governor Kim Reynolds has issued several Proclamations of Disaster Emergency regarding the outbreak of COVID-19 that close business and retail establishments and prohibit certain social, community, spiritual, religious, recreational, leisure, and sporting gatherings. This is a summary of the changes to the Governor’s proclamation as of Aug. 27, 2020.

Trusted Information Sources


COVID-19 Hotlines

  • Dubuque Visiting Nurses Association: 563.556.6200 
    Available 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday - Sunday. If you need to leave a message, your call will be returned as soon as possible between the hours of 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.

  • IDPH 24/7 Public Hotline: 2-1-1 or 1-800-244-7431
    Available 24/7 for Iowans with questions about COVID-19.

Running Essential Errands

Grocery Shopping, Take-Out, Banking, Getting Gas, and Doctor Visits
As we take steps to slow the spread of COVID-19 by limiting close contact, people are facing new challenges and questions about how to meet basic household needs, such as buying groceries and medicine, and completing banking activities. The CDC provides advice about how to meet these household needs in a safe and healthy manner. 

Keeping Children Healthy While School’s Out

The key to slowing the spread of COVID-19 is to limit contact as much as possible. While school is out, children should not have in-person play dates with children from other households. If children are playing outside their own homes, it is essential that they remain 6 feet from anyone who is not in their own household.  The CDC provides guidance to protect children and others from getting sick.

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.
  • Stay at least 6 feet from other people, even when you wear a face covering. Remember that some people without symptoms may be able to spread virus. 
  • Only go out for essentials like food, medicine, and health care.
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others. Everyone should wear a cloth face cover when they have to go out in public, for example to the grocery store or to pick up other necessities. Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2 or anyone who has trouble breathing. See CDC guidelines. 
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
  • Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow/inside of arm. Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. 
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.


What You Should Know

What are the symptoms of the coronavirus (COVID-19)? How does the virus spread? What should someone do if they feel ill or have a fever? 

Who Should Self-Isolate?

It is recommended that Iowans self-isolate for 14 days in the following situations: 

  • If you have traveled outside of Iowa for business or vacation in the last 14 days.
  • If you have been on an international cruise in the last 14 days.
  • If you live with someone who has symptoms of COVID-19 or has tested positive for COVID-19.

  • View Self-Isolation Guidelines

Dubuque Countywide Response to COVID-19

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.

Continue social distancing when out in public. Wear a mask when you can’t. We all have an important role to play in the fight against the COVID-19 coronavirus. Please do your part to limit the spread of the virus by practicing social distancing of 6-10 feet when you are out in public, wear a mask when you cannot social distance, and wash your hands frequently. Take the TestIowa health assessment at www.testiowa.com to help crush the curve and create a better understanding of what is going on in Iowa. Check in with family and friends often and find creative ways to stay connected. We’re all in this together.