Buena Vista County and Storm Lake Officials Urge Citizens to Continue with Covid-19 Precautions

Elissa Doebel | May 29th, 2020

The number of positive Covid-19 cases in Buena Vista County has continued to increase with more testing with Test Iowa, long-term care facilities, local health care providers, and manufacturers. These positive tests confirm Covid-19 is in our community and can spread easily between individuals.

It’s especially important now that many of the restrictions have been eased or lifted for county residents to remember that the virus is still very active in this community and to follow all public health recommendations and watch for symptoms of the virus.

Covid-19 spreads easily because people can carry the virus and not show any symptoms. This is why it is important in any social interaction to:

* Keep a 6 feet distance from others.

* Wear a mask when you are unable to stay 6 feet away from others.

* Stay home when possible and away from groups over 10 people.

* Wash your hands frequently.

We understand the past few months have been difficult, but the next few weeks are important to stop the spread of this contagious disease.

Anyone that wants to be tested can now go to www.testiowa.com<http://www.testiowa.com> and fill out the short survey. Storm Lake currently has a testing site at the high school until June 12.

If you show symptoms of COVID-19 which include cough, fever (100.4 or greater) and shortness of breath call your health care provider before going into the office. The provider may have special instructions for you and will determine if you should be tested.

Thank you for helping to keep our community safe!

Buena Vista County Public Health and Home Care

Buena Vista County Emergency Management

Buena Vista Regional Medical Center

The City of Storm Lake

United Community Health Center

For up-to-date information on COVID-19, visit the IDPH webpage at https://idph.iowa.gov/Emerging-Health-Issues/Novel-Coronavirus and follow the department on Facebook at @IowaDepartmentOfPublicHealth and on Twitter at @IAPublicHealth.

The Iowa Department of Human Rights has made COVID-19 information available in multiple languages, both written and spoken. See https://humanrights.iowa.gov/covid-19/language-access for more information.