Coronavirus hasn't reached Iowa, but it's already having an effect on the state

The coronavirus outbreak hasn't reached Iowa, yet, but the novel virus has already begun to impact daily life.

State and local officials are evaluating a range of considerations this week about Iowans' ability to do regular things like work, learn and congregate. Restrictions remain limited, but they have the potential, in some cases, to upend Iowans' routines and lives.

• The Iowa Department of Public Health announced Tuesday that it wants Iowans returning home from coronavirus-hit areas overseas to "self-isolate" to stop the potential spread of the virus.
• Iowa's top colleges and universities have also announced actions to restrict student and faculty travel to regions heavily impacted by the virus known as COVID-19.
• Some of Iowa's religious leaders have made accommodations for congregants who are concerned that some rites could put them at risk of infection.
• State officials are also taking precautions to avoid fear-based fraud schemes involving businesses.
• Iowa hospitals said they were taking precautions to conserve their stock of face masks and other personal protective equipment.

There are no cases of the virus in Iowa, but public health officials have been sharing guidelines with health care providers, businesses and schools on how to prepare. The state was still waiting for test results from two people for the virus Tuesday.

► MORE: Everything to know about COVID-19, the deadly virus alarming the world

The latest on cases in the U.S.:

The latest data shows there are at least 92,000 cases of the virus confirmed around the world and more than 3,000 deaths associated with it, according to a dashboard maintained by researchers at Johns Hopkins University. More than 100 cases have been reported in the United States, spread across more than a dozen states.

Washington state has been hit hardest, reporting several deaths related to the virus. As of Tuesday afternoon, nine people had died from the virus in the U.S., all in Washington state.

► More:Tracking the spread of coronavirus cases in the US and worldwide

Dr. Caitlin Pedati, Iowa's medical director and epidemiologist for the public health department, told reporters Tuesday that the risk of contracting the disease in Iowa remains low.

"We want to recognize that there is a potential that this virus could spread and that it could potentially be introduced here in Iowa," she said. "And we want to make sure that people realize that there's a time period that we have here where we can share information."

► More coronavirus coverage:

• Public health officials in Iowa say they are testing 2 people for the novel coronavirus
• Officials monitoring coronavirus ask Iowans to 'self-isolate' if they've traveled to certain areas
• These are the symptoms of coronavirus and what you should do if you think you have it.
• Report says virus' outbreak leaving a mark on the Midwest's economy
• Coronavirus fears spark 'panic buying' of toilet paper, water, hand sanitizer
• 'STOP BUYING MASKS:' Fear-driven purchases raise prospect of shortage
• 'This is not sustainable': Public health departments, decimated by funding cuts, scramble against coronavirus

Preparing in Iowa

The State Hygienic Laboratory at the University of Iowa has materials to test Iowans for the virus, though the capacity, as of Monday, is limited to about 250 people. The state will be able to confirm negative test results, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will need to confirm potentially positive results. Officials said Monday the state would make public any preliminary positive results in the interim.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds told reporters Tuesday that she has been in communication with Vice President Mike Pence and the federal government about preparedness for the virus. She also said state agencies are conducting what she called a "pre-pandemic assessment" of available supplies.

State officials have been proactive in reaching out to those who might be impacted by the virus and addressing concerns, Reynolds said. "Hopefully … we're still at a very low risk here in Iowa, but we want to be prepared in case we see that change," she said.

The Iowa public health department has a website for more information. While public health officials are monitoring a handful of Iowans for signs of the virus, it is primarily recommending that Iowans help prevent any future spread by covering their coughs and sneezes, washing their hands and staying home if sick.

According to the CDC, current symptoms of the virus include mild to severe respiratory illness with fever, cough and difficulty breathing.

Iowans with suspected symptoms are encouraged to contact a health care provider. The state has a hotline number (1-800-362-2736) for reporting about the disease, though Iowans should contact their local public health department first.

Barbara Rodriguez covers health care and politics for the Register. She can be reached by email at bcrodriguez@registermedia.com or by phone at 515-284-8011. Follow her on Twitter @bcrodriguez.

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