Older adults and those with chronic medical conditions are at the highest risk for serious complications from COVID-19. The Iowa Department of Public Health is taking steps to ensure long term care facility residents are protected from communicable diseases, including novel coronavirus. IDPH has encouraged facilities to align their practices with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services by limiting non-essential visitors to facilities. Also, IDPH is requesting facilities to report when two or more staff or residents are ill with respiratory symptoms without another diagnosis. The goal is to protect the life and safety of long term care facility residents.