Confirmed COVID-19 outbreak in Villisca

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Montgomery County increased to nine as of Friday, June 5. Several of those cases are due to an outbreak of the virus at the Good Samaritan Society of Villisca.

The numerous cases at Good Sam, Villisca, were confirmed Wednesday, June 3. They include both staff and residents.

According to Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH), an outbreak is when three or more cases of COVID-19 are identified among residents of a facility. The facility notified residents and their families, and consistent with IDPH guidelines, the affected residents are in isolation and/or hospitalized.

Good Samaritan Society of Villisca staff are working closely with IDPH and Montgomery County Public Health (MCPH) to protect the health of all residents and staff, with additional testing of residents and staff as directed by IDPH, said MCPH Director Samantha Beeson.

“Protecting the health and wellbeing of the residents and staff is of the highest priority,” said Beeson. “We know our older population is at the highest risk for serious COVID-19 illness, so we are monitoring the situation carefully and taking the highest precautions to prevent virus spread.”

MCPH announced June 3, the first death associated with novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the county. The individual was an elderly adult (over 80). A second death was announced Friday, June 5, but the MCPH report failed to report the approximate age of the person.

As of June 5, six of the nine confirmed cases have recovered. Three-hundred-eighty-six individuals have been tested in the county for COVID-19.

For up-to-date information on COVID-19, including an interactive map with county, regional and long-term care outbreak information, visit coronavirus.iowa.gov/.