One case of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) was confirmed in Washington County and announced by the Iowa Department of Public Health Wednesday afternoon. As of Wednesday, Iowa has had 38 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in 11 counties. Washington County Public Health Director Danielle Pettit-Majewski states the individual in Washington County is recovering in isolation.

She encourages people to continue to make prevention a priority. You should wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow, and stay home when you’re ill. She adds that approximately 80% of Iowans infected with COVID-19 will experience only a mild to moderate illness and most mildly ill Iowans do not need to go to their healthcare provider or be tested for the virus.

Sick Iowans need to stay home and isolate themselves. Isolation should last until you have been fever free for at least 72 hours and other symptoms like shortness of breath or cough have improved, and at least seven days have passed since symptoms first appeared. If you think you need healthcare, call first. Providers will assess how best to see you.