Greene County Public Health, in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Public Health, has released new isolation guidelines concerning COVID-19.

Greene County Public Health Director Becky Wolf says an individual needs to self-isolate for 14 days if they have traveled outside of Iowa in less than 14 days for business or vacation, if they have traveled on an international cruise, or if they are living with someone who has COVID-19 symptoms or who has tested positive for the disease. Wolf urges those individuals to stay home to prevent possibly further spreading the illness.

Infection Prevention Nurse Heather Kinsey explains the details of what it means to self-isolate.

“You need to stay in one room and you need to try to use just one bathroom that is separate from other people. You need to stay away from other family members and pets in your home. If you have to be around other family members in your home, you need to practice that social distancing of six-feet. And then you’re going to social-isolate for that 14 days.” 

Greene County Medical Center Chief Medical Officer Dr. Michael Line further explains the mindset people should have as concerns of COVID-19 continue to grow.

‘The only way to limit the virus from spreading and throughout our community is for everybody to act as if they already have the virus. Act as if they have the virus, act as if everybody else has the virus at all times, and isolate themselves at home.”

Currently there are no confirmed cases for COVID-19 in Greene County. To hear more from Wolf, Kinsey and Dr. Line, listen to the COVID-19 Roundtable Discussion that is on the KGRA 98.9FM on demand menu on raccoonvalleyradio.com.