Five additional coronavirus cases confirmed in Grundy County

GRUNDY COUNTY- Five new cases of the novel coronavirus have been confirmed in Grundy County as of Tuesday morning, according to Grundy County Public Health Program Coordinator Katie Thornton-Lang.

GCPH’s press release does not provide age information about the individuals who tested positive, which community they reside in or their identities. Four cases are isolating at their homes, one case is hospitalized in isolation, and one case has recovered and has been released from isolation in accordance with the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH), as they do not pose a health risk to the community. The press release goes on to encourage residents to stay home as much as possible, stay home when ill, cover coughs and sneezes and wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

Thornton-Lang said all of the new cases are considered a result of “community spread,” and she remains in touch with public health officials in neighboring counties. Despite some calls for further transparency on the individuals infected and where they live, Thornton-Lang noted that GCPH is following state guidelines.

“We’re going to do it in the ways that we’re mandated to by the state, by the law. We’re going to put the information out as we have it,” she said.

At last week’s Board of Supervisors meeting, Board Chairwoman Barb Smith reported that the first individual who had contracted the virus in Grundy County had for all intents and purposes made a full recovery.

Some surrounding counties, including Tama (224 cases, six deaths), Marshall (224 cases) and Black Hawk (366 cases, two deaths), have reported some of the highest infection rates in the state. Specifically, area meatpacking plants (JBS in Marshalltown, Iowa Premium Beef in Tama and Tyson in Waterloo) and nursing homes have been epicenters of the outbreak in Iowa. So far, there are no confirmed outbreaks at any businesses in Grundy County.