Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic

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.

• Free Local COVID-19 Testing Options
  
  

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.

•   Changes to Governor’s Proclamation(s) as of Aug. 27
  
  

Trusted Information Sources

• Iowa Department of Public Health - Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
• COVID-19 in Iowa
• Iowa COVID-19 Cases By County Map 
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-10)
• Telegraph Herald (free-access page with local coverage and related announcements) 

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. 

• CDC Advice for Running Essential Errands
  
  

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.

• CDC Guidelines To Protect Children
  
  

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? 

• View a list of COVID-19 FAQs
  
  

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