Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information

Visit the DMACC Coronavirus Website for Current Updates

Coronavirus Statement

2/27/2020

As you have no doubt seen in news reports, there is an expanding global outbreak of a respiratory illness caused by a novel (new) coronavirus. The disease the virus causes has been named COVID-19. While most COVID-19 cases are associated with travel to or from China, person-to-person spread is now being reported in other places, including Hong Kong, Iran, Italy, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and at least one suspected person-to-person transmission in the US.

There are currently no known cases of COVID-19 in Iowa. For the general public, who are unlikely to be exposed to the virus at this time, we are being told that the immediate health risk from COVID-19 is low; however, the potential of the public health threat is high.

Recognizing the potential public health threat, DMACC is working with state and local public health partners to coordinate, review, and update our emergency plans. It is important to prepare for the potential of COVID-19 in the same way that we would prepare for any other events that could disrupt the normal routine of the college and cause harm to our students and employees.

We are taking all possible types of disruptions into consideration as we update our emergency plans.

Please be mindful that, while COVID-19 is not currently circulating in the U.S. or in Iowa, influenza is circulating at high levels.

The prevention measures for influenza and COVID-19 are the same.