Some long-term care facilities and nursing homes in Johnson County this week took measures to guard against a coronavirus outbreak and the disastrous consequences faced by facilities in Washington state that have sickened dozens of workers and residents.

The Iowa Department of Public Health announced there is a statewide total of 13 presumptively positive cases as of Tuesday evening. Of those cases, 12 are from Johnson County and were on the same cruise in Egypt.

Facilities posted on their websites, front doors and Facebook pages about their precautions, which came from guidance provided by the CDC and the Iowa Health Care Association, among other public health organizations.

"Our top priority is to protect the health and well-being of Iowa's elderly and most vulnerable residents," said Brent Willett, president and CEO of the association, in a news release Wednesday.

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"What we know about COVID-19 is that it presents the highest risk of serious illness and death to the elderly and people with pre-existing medical conditions."

Andy Maas, the administrator of Briarwood Healthcare Center in Iowa City, started prohibiting all visitors as early as Sunday evening. The initial restriction was set to last until Wednesday, but as the situation has since changed he said the restriction will remain in place for the time being.

Maas made calls to family members of the center's 50 residents letting them know that unless there was a critical need, no visitors would be allowed. He said the staff is working with the families so they may communicate with their loved ones via Skype or other video and phone applications.

"Families have been extremely supportive," he said.

As for the 90 employees of the center, he said screening of everyone is being done according to the guidelines provided by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the American Health Care Association.

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Before starting a shift, employees have their temperature checked and answer a questionnaire. Maas said an employee would be sent home if they, for example, show symptoms of coronavirus such as a fever.

He added that other folks who frequent the center are also being restricted. Instead of coming inside, food vendors are dropping their deliveries at the front door for employees to pick up.

Maas mentioned the case of the Life Care Center of Kirkland near Seattle in Washington state. The nursing home was devastated by the virus. A news release from the facility March 10 reported that at least 13 residents had died from the virus.

"That's definitely something we want kept out of here," he said but added the center is prepared if it were to have a positive test.

Oaknoll Retirement Residence is restricting visits to its facility which has between 375 and 400 residents, as well, according to Administrator Kim Bergen-Jackson. Anyone showing symptoms will not be allowed to enter the residence.

"I think it is important to say there is no virus in any long-term care or senior living center here that I know of," she said.

Bergen-Jackson said while the center is asking that residents have no visitors, they will consider exceptions for people in critical situations.

"It's a tightrope we're walking being safe and being caring," she said.

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Residents are also being asked to avoid group gatherings or going to crowded places.

"We may need to postpone activities and/or close the Hope dining room in the future," reads a letter she sent to residents.

Legacy Dial Senior Living Center in Iowa City has limited visitors to one adult who shows no coronavirus symptoms, according to the facility’s Web site.

At Keystone Place in North Liberty the locks on some of the doors have been changed so that people must enter through a main door. Every person who enters the facility is being screened via a questionnaire and with a temperature reading, said Tracy Schueler, the facility’s director of operations on Tuesday.

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People who show symptoms or affirm possible coronavirus contact are denied entrance. And any resident who show signs of illness will be asked to stay in their room. The facility as of Tuesday afternoon had no known coronavirus cases, Schueler said.

Keystone canceled an open house event over Easter as a precaution. While it’s not a lockdown, the efforts are expected to last at least a week, Schueler said.

“We’re trying not scare anybody but we’re taking the precautions seriously,” Schueler said.

The Bickford Senior Living Center is asking visitors to self-screen before they enter the location, according to its website. If residents, staff or visitors are returning after traveling or a trip, they will be "pre-screened for potential exposure to COVID-19."

The Iowa City Veterans Affairs Health Care System has also made limitations for visitors to its facility. According to a message posted on its website Tuesday, the center is not allowing people to visit patients if they show symptoms of coronavirus, if they are feeling sick or if they are children and adolescents under the age of 16.

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"Visitors are limited to immediate family members or designated caregivers," the website reads. "Patients are reminded to bring only one person to your clinic visit."

The hospital said additional restrictions may arise and exceptions may be made for people visiting "patients who are in critical condition or in end-of-life situations."

The guidance from the Iowa Health Care Association encourages the public to limit visiting long-term care facilities. If a visit is urgent, the association recommends people call the facility first to coordinate and comply with screening requests.

Lawmakers from both parties urged people to follow health advice and to try to remain calm.

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“We don’t want people to panic,” said Rep. Mary Mascher, D-Iowa City. "The worst thing that can happen is we do knee jerk things.”

LaTasha DeLoach, the Iowa City Senior Center coordinator, said she's in close contact with city staff about keeping the community center's members safe.

The center is not a residential facility, but it does host events for local seniors.

DeLoach sent an email to members with recommendations to wash their hands, to avoid crowds and to stay aware of travel notices, among other precautions. She said instructors of activities may choose to cancel.

"We're playing it by ear," she said.

Rep. Bobby Kaufmann, R-Wilton, urged people to keep informed but “maintain vigilance and remain calm.”

“I think the state response has been proactive,” Kaufmann said. “In this situation, knowledge if very valuable.”

Reach Hillary Ojeda at 319-339-7345, hojeda@press-citizen.com or follow her on Twitter at @hillarymojeda.