COVID-19 Update(s) Copyrighted
April 29, 2020
City of Dubuque Presentation(s) # 1.
ITEM TITLE: COVID-19 Update
SUMMARY: • Mary Rose Corrigan, Public Health Specialist for
the City of Dubuque
• Kristen Dietzel,Vice President of Workforce
Solutions for the Greater Dubuque Development
Corporation
• Mayor Roy D. Buol
SUGGESTED DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
GDDC COVID-19 Presentation Supporting Documentation
Health Services Department
City Hall Annex
1300 Main Street
Dubuque, IA 52001
Office (563) 589-4181
Fax (563) 589-4299
TTY (563) 589-4193
health@cityofdubuque.org
www.cityofdubuque.org
TO: Mike Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Mary Rose Corrigan, Public Health Specialist
SUBJECT: COVID-19 update
DATE: April 29, 2020
CURRENT INFORMATION
The Dubuque County Public Health Incident Management team consisting of City
of Dubuque Health Services Department (Mary Rose Corrigan) Dubuque County
Health Department, (Patrice Lambert) VNA (Stacey Killian) and the Dubuque
County Emergency Management Agency (Tom Berger), along with both hospitals
continue in full activation. We are coordinating our response efforts in
conjunction with the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) and with guidance
from CDC via weekly webinars and direct contact with our regional
epidemiologist.
48 new cases and 2 additional deaths were added to Dubuque County’s total
since last week’s report on April 22. Dubuque County now has 97 COVID-19
cases and a total of 3 deaths.
1 in the 0-17 age group, 31 in the 18-40 age group, 42 in the 41-60 age group,
(the largest group affected in Dubuque Co and in Iowa) 21 in the 61-80 age
group, and 2 that are over age 80. All 3 Dubuque County deaths were older
adults. Also, 1170 people have been tested in Dubuque County- with 1073
negative results. 18 people or 18% of Dubuque county positive cases have
recovered.
The state added 3095 positive cases over this past week and 467 today for a
total of 6843. I am sorry to report 50 additional deaths have been reported since
April 22, for a total of 148 statewide deaths. 93% of today’s positive cases
tested today are from the 22 counties excluded from the Governor’s closures that
st
begin May 1. In all, there are 34,494 negative tests and 323 cases are
currently hospitalized, and this number has been increasing. 35% of Iowans have
recovered.
RMCC / Region medical coordination center or RMCC 6- where Dubuque Co is
located, was lowered to a score of 9/12. In addition to the 3 meat processing
facilities in Iowa, 23 long term care facilities, including one in Dubuque, and 7 in
Region 6, have experienced outbreaks causing a significant increase in the
number of positive tests. Regions continue to be ready for a possible surge in
hospitalizations from the increased cases.
Joint Information System is lead by PIO Randy Gehl. The JIS has coordinated
responses to requests from the TH and other news media and provided daily
COVID-19 specific media/news releases 6 days per week. I am giving regular
updates at every city council meeting, and on other days, Facebook Live updates
The guidance from our incident management team and from the IDPH and CDC
will continue to change, based on new cases, the number of cases, and the
ongoing epidemiological data and investigations in Iowa and the U.S.
changes/new guidelines. Recent changes include: CDC guidance for symptoms,
IDPH food establishment, Farmer’s Market, business, etc.
Community Test site overview - walk through and final preparations were
completed. Test site is ready to launch within a 72- hour time frame, if not
sooner. Also planning for targeted testing based on our local epidemiological
data and findings– those high risk that we know have a known exposure with a
positive case. This will increase the testing locally.
Long Term Care status and planning: MercyOne and Unity Point Finley hospitals
facilitate the long -term care section of our public health response- Mary Rose
Corrigan is the liaison for this group to the Public Health Incident Management
Team. Testing has been arranged for the long- term care facility experiencing
the outbreak
TestIowa- TestIowa sites have been set up in Des Moines, Waterloo and soon at
Sioux City, and Scott County. The goal is to dramatically increase the rate of
COVID-19 testing so Iowans can have better access to testing and help stem the
spread of COVID-19. TestIowa sites are determined by assessments completed
online by citizens along with other outbreak and case counts in local areas.
Governor Kim Reynolds guidance and information: Latest proclamation on April
28, 2020. Crenna Brumwell has provided a summary of the effects for Dubuque
County, most of which take effect May 15, 2020.
The Homeless Isolation Shelter is increasing its capacity in preparation for more
residents based on the recent increase in COVID-19 cases.
PPE– Tom Berger, EMA, continues to monitor and meet local needs. He is
receiving state stockpiles weekly.
What you can do now
Continue to stay home as much as possible
Limit trips to grocery stores and for other necessities – for example, once a week
at the most
Utilize curbside pick-up, carryout and delivery
Practice social distancing
Strictly follow self-isolation practices. If you are not sure whether you’ve been
exposed, start self-isolating anyway.
Continue to seek and utilize factual information from the city of Dubuque, IDPH
and CDC websites and postings.
Greater Dubuque
DEVELOPMENT CORP.
Covid- 19 Update
Apri 29th, 2020
•
COVID- 19 Update
Kristin Dietzel,
Vice President of Workforce Solutions,
COVID- 19 Project Lead
COVID-19 Business Helpline (563-588-3350)
• Launched Varch 24
• Partnership with Northeast Iowa Community Collece, Small 3usiness
Development Center, and ECIA Business Growth
• Two press releases issued; also shared by partners (Chamber, Vain Street,
etc) and promoted on radio, print ads, and social media
• 17 counselors and Helpline staff available based on employer needs
• Topics include:
• PPP, EIDL assistance
• State IEDA Relief assistance
• Covid-19 workplace safety
• Families First Coronavirus Response Act
• Unemployment Insurance
• Dubuque Initiatives Bridge Loan
• 971 business calls made by Dan, Rob, and 3i11 to build awareness
• 508 Helpline calls taken (not includinc call backs or follow up with clients)
• Greater Dubuque staff handled 90 of these
IEDA Small Business Relief Grants
• Launched in Varch with a closure date of Varch 31
• Offers small businesses of 2-25 employees Grants ranging from
$5,000-$25,000
• $ 24m. was appropriated and disbursed from April 7-10
• Additional funding through the federal CARES Act is assistinc IEDA
in making new awards from the existinc slate of applicants—so
far $24.5m. awarded
• Dubuque County has received 87 awards totaling $ 1 ,678,423
Dubuque Initiatives Bridge Loan
• 28 bridce loans funded
J
• 13 in progress (as of 4/24 5pm);
• 106 inquiries to Helpline and 69 referred on to ECIA for processinc
• Following up with sole proprietors for new eligibility
Dubuque County Unemployment Claims
3/7/202 3/14/202 3/21/202 3/28/202 4/4/202 4/11/202 4/18/202 Total
0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Iowa 2,221 2,229 40,952 55,966 67,334 46,356 27,912 242,970
Dubuque 87 97 1 ,273 1 ,910 2,718 1 ,912 1 ,028 9,025
Estimated %
increase in 4.10% 2.60% 3.18% 4.50% 3.19% 1 .70% 19.27%
unemploym
ent
Data is initial claims for unemployment
• Top Sectors Experiencinc lay-offs or furloughs:
• Health Care and Social Assistance: 1 ,506
• Accommodation and Food Services: 1 ,378
• Industry Not Available: 1 ,135
• Retail Trade: 1 ,067
• Manufacturing: 941
Safe at Work
• Framework and support model for employers wishinc to implement
guidance from Iowa Department of Public Health anc CDC regarding
COVI D-19
best practices
• Utilizes the COVID-19 Business Helpline as the point of contact, with
subject matter experts available depending on the topic (HR, layout,
health, etc.)
• Seekinc endorsement by the Dubuque County Incident Vanacement
Team (VNA, Emercency Vanacement Services, City Public Health, County
Public Health)
• Will be distributec and implemented throuch the Helpline and promoted
by economic development partners
• Wednescay 4/29 work session with joint meetinc of Board of Supervisors
anc Board of Health
• Once endorsements are finalizec, will make a public announcement and
train Helpline staff
Economic Development Collaborative Calls
• Hoc weekly calls with invitations to 24 economic
cevelopment partners to
• Discuss top news and issues of the week,
• Identify caps in services
• sec uce du of ication
• Ensure a continuum of services
4/28/2020 3:12 PM
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, one of the greatest responsibilities of any elected official is the
protection of the electorate served and the protection of the greater public health and
safety; and
WHEREAS, COVID-19 poses a serious and potentially deadly threat to the public
and the public health as the Federal Center for Disease Control (“CDC”) has noted that
serious illness occurs in 16% of cases with older people and people of all ages with
severe chronic medical conditions, such as heart disease, lung disease and diabetes or
those who are immunocompromised, seeming to be at a higher risk of developing
serious COVID-19 illness and noting that the World Health Organization has determined
COVID-19 to be a pandemic; and
WHEREAS, the Iowa Department of Public Health (“IDPH”) has issued
recommendations for behavior modification to flatten the curve of COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, a high rate of infection has been shown to overwhelm medical systems
throughout the world and numerous governmental entities and epidemiologists have
stated that community spread in the United States poses the same risk of overwhelming
American medical systems; and
WHEREAS, the Governor has issued numerous State of Public Health Disaster
Emergency orders; and
WHEREAS, in order to flatten the curve of COVID-19 in the City of Dubuque it is
necessary to maintain and extend several mitigation measures; and
WHEREAS, Iowa Code Section 372.14(2) and the City of Dubuque Code of
Ordinances 7-3-1 grant the Mayor powers in circumstances when public danger or
emergency exists to take extraordinary steps to protect the public health and safety.
NOW, THEREFORE, IN CONSIDERATION OF THE FOREGOING AND OTHER
VALID EMERGENT CONCERNS, I, ROY D. BUOL, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF
DUBUQUE, PROCLAIM THE FOLLOWING:
I hereby determine that a state of emergency or public danger exists and direct that mass
gatherings of more than 10 people on public property or public right-of-way are hereby
prohibited subject to exclusions director by the Governor’s Emergency Disaster
Proclamations. Any permits or permissions previously granted are hereby rescinded and
any amounts paid for such permits shall be refunded upon request.
I further determine and direct the Police Chief to enforce such direction to avoid any
such gatherings on public property and public right-of-way, whether formally or
informally organized.
I further strongly suggest all citizens comply with the mandated closures and
recommendations issued by Governor Kim Reynolds.
4/28/2020 3:12 PM
I hereby close the Multicultural Family Center for public use through at least May 15,
2020.
I hereby authorize City Boards and Commissions to make accommodations allowing for
remote attendance and participation at regularly scheduled meetings by board and
commission members and the public.
I hereby suspend any requirements within the City of Dubuque Code of Ordinances which
mandate the requirement for physical meeting locations and physical notifications or
mailings and authorize electronic and virtual meetings and electronic notifications; this
includes but is not limited to notices required by Title 16 of the city code.
I hereby issue a moratorium on the issuance of special event permits and solicitor’s
licenses through at least May 15, 2020.
I hereby extend the closure of the following City buildings to public access through at
least May 15, 2020:
• City Hall
• City Hall Annex
• Leisure Services Department Office at Bunker Hill
• Housing & Community Development Department at the Historic Federal
Building
• The Municipal Services Center on Kerper Court
• Multicultural Family Center
City staff in these buildings, or working remotely, shall work to provide services to the public
electronically, by phone, by mail, and when possible, by appointment as well as access to
information and the ability to participate in meetings by alternative means.
I hereby determine and direct the City Manager to evaluate the ongoing operations of the
city organization and adjust operations, accordingly, including the authority to further restrict
access to facilities.
Per City of Dubuque Code of Ordinances section 7-3-1 , the public is advised that the
violation of a mayoral proclamation of emergency or of any subsidiary proclamation
thereto evidencing the exercise of emergency powers or of any rule or order issued
pursuant thereto by the mayor or city manager of any order issued pursuant thereto by
any peace officer or of any directive issued by designated emergency management or
emergency services personnel pursuant thereto shall constitute a violation of that section
and shall bel be punishable as a misdemeanor as provided by Title 1, Chapter 4 of the
city code.
If any provision of this proclamation conflicts with a Proclamation of Emergency Disaster
issued by Governor Kim Reynolds the proclamation issued by the Governor shall take
precedence.
This Proclamation of emergency and public danger is part of an ongoing response of
the City of Dubuque to an ever-changing situation to protect public health and safety.
4/28/2020 3:12 PM
This proclamation may be modified or superseded with more restrictive proclamations
at any time as circumstances warrant. Please be aware these decisions have been
made based upon the information available today. You can find the most recent
information about the City’s response to COVID-19 at www.cityofdubuque.org.
PROCLAIMED THIS DAY OF APRIL 2020 BY THE AUTHORITY VESTED
IN ME BY THE CODE OF IOWA AND THE CITY OF DUBUQUE CODE OF
ORDINANCES.
ROY D. BUOL
MAYOR
CITY OF DUBUQUE
April 29, 2020
The Honorable Kim Reynolds
Governor of Iowa
1007 E Grand Ave
Des Moines, IA 50319
Re: Testing Site for Dubuque County
Dear Governor Reynolds:
Thank you for your leadership and commitment to the residents of Iowa during these
challenging times. Iowa’s response to and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic will
require all Iowans to do their part and will require local and State governments and agencies
to collaborate at ever higher levels.
We are writing today to assure you of Dubuque’s partnership in these efforts and to
respectfully ask for your consideration of a request. As Dubuque County is one of the twenty-
two (22) counties where restrictions remain in place through at least May 15, we are
interested in exploring a partnership with the State to bring broader testing to this area.
We are aware that a “TestIowa” site is planned for Waterloo on April 29 and an additional site
is planned for Woodbury County this weekend or early next week to increase testing and
contact tracing. Dubuque County has submitted two strike team requests to IDPH and your
office since Sunday, April 26: one for special populations and one for a long -term care facility.
In addition, we have a plan in place for a community test site, developed in partnership with
our local healthcare providers.
We believe these two factors, combined with Dubuque County’s recent increase in positive
cases, indicate our community is ready and deserving to host a “TestIowa” site. The plans
and information already developed by local public health officials could easily be used by a
State team to increase and provide timely testing in our area and provide additional data for
Statewide decision making.
As you know, Dubuque County’s unique location positions the City of Dubuque as a regional
employment center and healthcare hub. Due to this, the area attracts residents from the tri-
states and from multiple surrounding NE Iowa counties who travel into Dubuque County
daily. Increased testing can curb the increase of cases we are seeing within the county and
reduce the potential for increases to occur in abutting counties – all of which are currently
part of the seventy-seven (77) where some restrictions will be lifted on May 1, 2020.
We are particularly encouraged by the data collection you have initiated with “TestIowa.”
Data-driven decision making is critical and allows for a targeted and appropriate response to
changes in conditions in specific locations. In Dubuque and Dubuque County we are actively
encouraging our residents to participate in the “TestIowa” assessment process and
promoting the initiative through our partners in the public health incident management team’s
Joint Information Center and other channels.
Again, thank you for your leadership. We are proud of our history of partnering with your
office and all State agencies. We trust we will soon partner with you on the “TestIowa”
initiative.
Be Safe and Well,
Roy D. Buol
Mayor, City of Dubuque
David J. Baker
Chair, Dubuque County Board of Supervisors