Winneshiek County health officials are ready for the coronavirus, but so far no cases have been reported here

31 people in the United States have died from the coronavirus so far, with over 1,000 Americans diagnosed as having caught the virus.  In Iowa, there have been 13 confirmed cases of coronavirus.

But Winneshiek County Public Health Nursing Service Administrator Krista Vanden Brink says all of the cases in Iowa involve people who had been traveling overseas.  She says as of now, "there is no community contamination yet."

Of course, keeping it that way will present a challenge.  Winneshiek County Public Health Nursing Service staffers--including Vanden Brink--have been spending a lot of time in the last several weeks watching teleconferences involving state and national health officials.  Additionally, Vanden Brink says there will probably be additional funds sent to Winneshiek County to cover any additional costs caused by reacting to coronavirus cases.

Vanden Brink says the public should continue to follow the advice all health experts have been giving--wash your hands thoroughly, cover your mouth when coughing and stay home if you get sick.

She also asks people to stay calm and to stop hoarding items such as hand sanitizer and toilet paper.  She's upset about reports that some people in the United States have been buying up some supplies, then selling then for a big profit on-line.

Just remember, she says, "we're all in this together."