North Iowa Reporter

Reports from the Iowa Department of Health say that the number of confirmed cases of the COVID-19 virus is under 20 in Iowa as of March 30.

The cases are limited to just three counties. The cases are confined to counties in southern Iowa. Local government agencies have said that they are preparing themselves to act if instances of the new coronavirus spread were to travel north.

Gov. Kim Reynolds told the Des Moines Register that she is aware of Iowans feeling scared. Her voice cracked as she urged Iowa residents to "stay home." She also encouraged citizens by telling them to "hang in there."

“You know, Iowans are scared and they’re nervous, and I appreciate that, but we’re going to get through it,” Reynolds said. “If you keep doing what we’ve asked you to do, we will be back to those good days. So hang in there.”

According to the Globe Gazette, Worth County Emergency Management Coordinator Mark Tomlinson said the state is closely following the updates provided by the local Department of Health and the Iowa State Department of Health.

"Basically what we’re doing is following the guidance of Worth County Public Health, Iowa Department of Public Health and the CDC," Worth County Emergency Management Coordinator Mark Tomlinson said. "We're just pushing out the information they bring in from the Department of Public Health."

Reports from the Iowa Department of Health have been steady. The reports consist of new instructions on combating the spread of the virus and orders from the governor.

According to Worth County Public Health Information Officer Shana Butler, Iowa state officials have been on top of the virus. Butler said they were taking precautions before the virus reached Iowa.

"We feel like we’ve very much been on top of things before it even got here to make sure we don’t have any community spread," Butler said.