SE Iowa News

In mid-April Louisa County reached a new grim milestone by confirming the first death related to COVID-19.

In a press release on April 16 on the Louisa County Public Health website, the department announced that the deceased was an adult between 41-60 years old.   

“We wish to extend our sympathy to this individual’s family," Roxanne Smith, Public Health Director for the county, said. “Louisa County Public Health and all of our key partners throughout the county and state continue to work to limit the spread and impact of this virus in our communities."

The department reported on April 15 that 166 people were confirmed to have tested positive for the coronavirus.

Throughout the county, people are grappling with the pandemic in different ways. 

“No doubt it’s scary, it’s fearful," Kathy Moore, from Wapello, told Iowastartingline.com. “My biggest concern with me is I’ve got 10 grandkids and I don’t want to carry it to them.”

David Wanger lives in Grandview is a medical coder and volunteer EMT. 

“I’ll admit it, I’m scared," he said. “I got three kids and a wife. My wife’s got some medical issues. It’s a scary ordeal.” 

City councilman Frank Best has seen other disasters affect Louisa County before. He told Iowastartingline.com that, when it comes to the coronavirus pandemic the community will pull through as they always do.

Gov. Kim Reynolds said on April 21 an initiative to expand testing in Iowa and asked people to visit testiowa.com to fill out an assessment. The online tool is meant to help people decide whether they should get tested for the coronavirus.