Henry County COVID spike due to prison outbreak

MT. PLEASANT - Henry County has seen a 100-case COVID-19 spike since last Thursday due to an outbreak at the Mt. Pleasant Correctional Facility.

Public Health Director Shelley Van Dorin said inmates and staff were tested last Tuesday. The state coronavirus tracker and website notes 90 positive cases were identified that day.

The prison reported its first case in July and another four positive cases on Aug. 27.

According to the Iowa Department of Corrections, 1,400 inmates have been tested overall with 139 testing positive. Two staff members have tested positive. Currently, 26 inmates have recovered as well as the two staff members as of Sept. 5.

There have been no COVID-19 related deaths at the facility so far,

Because the outbreak is mostly contained within the prison, Van Dorin said local residents do not have to be too concerned with the spike and the numbers will not affect schools being able to remain open. She added numbers are not expected to jump more than they already have.

Van Dorin reiterated steps people can take to stay safe and healthy including staying home when feeling sick, covering coughs, social distancing when possible and practicing good hygiene.

Representatives from the prison could not be reached at the time of publication.