Louisa County nearly doubled the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the county on Monday and the public will have access to increased testing the rest of the week.The Iowa Department of Public Health announced 73 new confirmed cases of COVID-19. This brings the county-wide total to 152 positive cases as of Tuesday. Governor Kim Reynolds said some of those cases are related to an outbreak at Tyson Foods in Columbus Junction. Testing efforts within the county have increased and will be available in limited quantities. Louisa County Clinics will be conducting a limited amount of tests from 1-3 p.m. through Friday this week. Appointments can be made by calling 319-728-7400.

Louisa County Emergency Management Coordinator Brian Hall tells KCII News how individuals can further prevent the spread of COVID-19, “If everyone would follow the recommendations of the Iowa Department of Public Health, which has always just been good hygiene. But also the CDC went a little further and said by now everyone should be wearing a mask if they are outside, which is very important to stopping transmission. I would also say reduce and stop unnecessary travel. If you don’t need to be out, please don’t be.” The CDC and IDPH urge people to continue to practice social distancing.