Tuesday, April 28, Update

Long-Term Care Facility Outbreak, Additional Death, and One More Case Confirmed in Dubuque County 
  
The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) and Dubuque County Public Health have identified four cases of COVID-19 in a long-term care facility in Dubuque County. The cases include both staff and residents at Dubuque Specialty Care in Dubuque.  This was one of seven new outbreaks at long-term care facilities in Iowa announced today. 

According to IDPH, an outbreak is when three or more cases of COVID-19 are identified among residents and staff of a facility. This is the first confirmed outbreak at a long-term care facility in Dubuque County. Statewide, there are currently outbreaks at 23 long-term care facilities in 12 Iowa counties. 

The facility has notified residents and their families, and consistent with IDPH guidelines, the affected residents are in isolation. Dubuque Specialty Care staff are working closely with IDPH and Dubuque County Public Health to protect the health of all residents and staff, with additional testing of residents and staff as directed by IDPH. 

“Protecting the health and well-being of the residents and staff at this and other long-term care facilities in Dubuque County is critical,” said Dubuque County Public Health Director Patrice Lambert. “As we know, our older population and those with underlying conditions are at the highest risk for serious COVID-19 illness. Public health staff have been working with our long-term care facilities for weeks to continue planning and to implement Iowa Department of Public Health recommendations.” 

The IDPH also reported today that a third Dubuque County resident, an older adult (61-80 years), who tested positive for COVID-19 has died. A total of nine additional deaths were reported today in Iowa, bringing the state total to 136.  

The IDPH was also notified of 508 additional positive cases of COVID-19 in Iowa, including one additional case in Dubuque County.  Iowa now has a total of 6,376 positive cases and Dubuque County has 88.  

According to IDPH, 39,823 Iowans have been tested and 2,164 Iowans have recovered. 

For up-to-date information on COVID-19, including an interactive map with county, regional, and long-term care outbreak information, visit https://coronavirus.iowa.gov. For COVID-19 information specific to Dubuque County, visit www.dubuquecounty.org/COVID19