North Iowa Reporter

A call center that answers the public’s questions about COVID-19 is operational in Cerro Gordo County.

People may call at least three phone numbers to have their general questions about the coronavirus answered, KIMT3 News reported, which include (641) 494-3546, (641) 494-3543 and (641) 494-3547.

Cerro Gordo Public Health said the COVID-19 Call Center is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Cerro Gordo County’s first case of COVID-19 was confirmed by the Iowa Department of Public Health on March 21, according to its Facebook page. That person is at home under self-isolation.

Ryan Stephen, Cerro Gordo Public Health’s Information Technology manager, said on the department's Facebook page that once the first case hits, the center would be inundated with calls.

“I really recommend probably waiting at least 10 to 15 minutes if you can between trying to call and then you’re just going to have to call until you’re able to get through the circuits,” Stephen said in the video. “We are working as a county. I am working as well to try to increase the capacity of our call centers, and we’re going to do the best we’re gonna do but once the first case hits. We’re going to see a big influx of calls into these call centers.”