Over the last several days, the number of cases of COVID-19 in Iowa has jumped considerably, though the cause might not be what you think.
Ann Cochran, Health Navigator and Public Information Officer with the Dallas County Health Department, says the cause of the steep jump in positive tests likely isn’t that we’ve reached the peak of the outbreak. Instead, it’s a result of there being more tests conducted and more virus surveillance at particularly susceptible locations. “There was a jump in positive tests – and negative tests too, for that matter – because there was simply more tests done. Because of several different areas where there was an outbreak, including at some long-term care facilities, they just in general tested more people and therefore they got more test results.”
Additionally, Cochran points out that the latest push from the Governor’s Office is the Test Iowa Initiative, which will further expand the testing capabilities of the state. Through the program, people can visit a website to complete a health assessment and schedule a testing if needed. Cochran points out, the website can be translated into multiple languages with just the click of a button. Click the link below to visit the Test Iowa website. To hear more from Cochran about the COVID-19 pandemic, listen to today’s Perry Fareway Let’s Talk Dallas County program on air and online.