Officials are advising Iowa nursing homes to take additional steps to protect residents and staff. COVID-19 outbreaks have been confirmed in nursing homes in Linn, Washington and Tama Counties. Sarah Reisetter, the deputy director of the Iowa Department of Public Health, says no visitors have been allowed inside Iowa nursing homes since March 10th, unless it’s an ‘end of life’ circumstance for a resident that’s NOT related to COVID-19. All staff must have their temperature taken at the beginning and end of their shifts.

Reisetter says state officials are making other recommendations, like moving residents who have COVID-19 symptoms to a single room and ensuring staff who care for them are not interacting with other nursing home residents.

There are more than 440 long term care facilities in Iowa.