The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) has changed quarantine recommendations for people exposed to a positive case of COVID-19. Please note the following as you read:

• This new guidance applies to business, education and child-care setting exposures. It does NOT apply to exposures in household or health care settings. Household members of positive COVID-19 cases still need to quarantine for 14 days.
• Gaiters and face shields are not considered acceptable face coverings. See the CDC guidance for face coverings: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/about-face-coverings.html

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Amy McCoy
[email protected]

IDPH Adjusts Quarantine Recommendations

The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) is making a change on quarantine recommendations for people that have been exposed to a positive case of COVID-19. This applies in non-healthcare, non-residential settings only. This includes businesses, education and child care settings.

• Close contacts of COVID-positive cases will no longer need to quarantine for 14 days if a face covering was worn consistently and correctly by the positive case and close contacts. The positive case must isolate. The close contacts should self-monitor.
  • Self-monitoring entails close monitoring for COVID-19 symptoms over the subsequent 14 days, staying home if any symptoms develop, and speaking with a healthcare provider about COVID-19 testing in the case of any illness.
  • If people who are self-monitoring become ill but do not get tested, they should remain home until 10 days after symptom onset.
• People currently in quarantine may be released from quarantine if a face covering was worn consistently and correctly by the positive case and close contacts during exposure.
• If the positive case wore a face covering, but close contacts did not, those close contacts must be quarantined.
• If the positive case did not wear a face covering, close contacts must quarantine whether or not they wore a face covering.
• Quarantine of close contacts will still be necessary in residential and healthcare settings.

Please find an infographic depicting the new IDPH recommendations at https://idph.iowa.gov/Portals/1/userfiles/61/covid19/resources/WhenToQuarantine.pdf

Masks are proven to be effective in preventing the spread of COVID-19. Increased mask use will reduce the number of individuals that need to quarantine. Along with wearing a face covering, we ask that everyone continue all recommended public health strategies:

• Stay home when sick.
• Maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet whenever possible.
• Wash hands frequently.

This approach is based on data and focused feedback from community and school leaders over the past month indicating that transmission is not frequently occurring when both parties are wearing face coverings consistently and correctly. Additionally, we are aware of other jurisdictions, including Nebraska and Wyoming, that have made similar changes based on experiences in their states. We will continue to make recommendations based on best available information and adjust when needed.

Sioux County is currently experiencing a number of additional COVID-19 cases. We urge every resident to take steps to protect the health of themselves and their families. The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to the virus. Avoid gatherings. Stay at least six feet away from others at all times. Wear a mask or face covering when you have to be around others. Older people and those with underlying health conditions like heart problems, diabetes, or obesity are at increased risk of serious complications from this virus, so they should take extra precautions. If you’re sick, stay home.

Since there is no vaccine for this virus, you are the best weapon we have in slowing the spread of this disease.

August 27, 2020

Sioux County Board of Health Position Statement

As our local schools open and fall activities begin, the Sioux County Board of Health asks that everyone in Sioux County take an active role in reducing the spread of Covid-19 in our community.

Based on guidance and recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH), the Sioux County Board of Health recommends that individuals and visitors in Sioux County:

• Wear a cloth face covering in public and when around people who do not live in your household, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain. Face coverings should cover your nose and mouth. Masks should not be worn by children under the age of 2 or by anyone who has trouble breathing or would be unable to remove the mask without assistance.
• Distance yourself at least 6 feet apart from others, when possible. Covid-19 spreads most often among people who are in close contact.
• Stay home when you are ill.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with your elbow.
• Wash your hands frequently.
• Clean frequently touched surfaces.
• Consider your level of risk before attending group activities.

Sioux County Board of Health

Dr. Lee Kamstra, Chairperson
Jeanene Kuiper, Vice Chairperson
Shari Fedders
Barbara Top
Matt Visser

The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) and Sioux County Public Health (Community Health Partners/CHP) have identified 4 positive resident cases of COVID-19 at Prairie Ridge Care Center a long-term care facility in Sioux County. According to IDPH, an outbreak occurs when three or more cases of COVID-19 are identified among residents of a facility.

The facility has notified residents and their families, and consistent with IDPH guidelines, the affected residents are in isolation. Prairie Ridge staff are working closely with IDPH and CHP to protect the health of all residents and staff, with additional testing of residents and staff as directed by IDPH.

“Protecting the health and wellbeing of the residents and staff is the highest priority of Prairie Ridge and CHP,” said Sioux County Public Health (CHP) Director, Kim Westerholm. “We know our older population is at the highest risk for serious COVID-19 illness, so we and Prairie Ridge are monitoring the situation carefully and taking the highest precautions to prevent virus spread.”

As of today, 7/30, there are 575 total cases of COVID-19 in Sioux County. CHP continues to work closely with IDPH, and other state and local partners to respond to this ongoing pandemic.

For up-to-date information on COVID-19, including an interactive map with county, regional and long-term care outbreak information, visit: coronavirus.iowa.gov

The immunization clinic scheduled for March 19th from 2:30-5:00 p.m. has been cancelled. Click here for more information on where you can receive shots for your child. For questions, please call (712) 737.2971, or email [email protected]uxcountychp.org.