A Polk County inpatient program for people with brain injuries has multiple cases of novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the facility confirmed on April 13.

On With Life primarily provides outpatient services to people who have had brain injuries due to accidents or strokes, or who have Parkinson’s disease. The organization also operates a 28-bed inpatient rehabilitation unit in Ankeny and a long-term skilled care facility in Glenwood.

I enclose below the full statement On With Life released in response to Bleeding Heartland’s inquiry, which said “COVID-19 cases were confirmed within our Ankeny Inpatient program” during the last week.



A spokesperson for On With Life declined to answer follow-up questions seeking to clarify how many people who live or work at the facility tested positive for COVID-19, and whether the infections affected staff, residents, or both. She also would not provide the current occupancy number for the inpatient program.

The Iowa Department of Public Health did not immediately respond to a request for further details. The department is tracking COVID-19 outbreaks at long-term care facilities, defined as positive tests for three or more residents, and confirmed last week outbreaks have occurred at three nursing homes in Linn, Washington, and Tama counties. At least three staffers at the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown were infected with coronavirus as well. The Department of Public Health does not consider that situation an outbreak because residents tested negative, an official explained at a recent news conference.

On With Life’s COVID-19 cases would not meet the department’s definition of an outbreak, even if three or more residents were affected, because its Ankeny patients are not receiving long-term care.

Staff declined to comment when asked about coronavirus testing for people living or working at On With Life’s long-term skilled care unit in Glenwood.

I will update this post as needed.

UPDATE: KCCI-TV confirmed that the Des Moines long-term care facility Trinity Center at Luther Park Community has three residents who have tested positive for COVID-19.

SECOND UPDATE: Governor Kim Reynolds mentioned On With Life at her April 14 news conference, in the context of three new outbreaks identified at long-term care facilities. I’m seeking further information about when the Iowa Department of Public Health became aware of the cluster of infections at this facility and why it is included in the long-term care numbers.

THIRD UPDATE: According to the state’s new website for COVID-19 information, On With Life has 22 infections. It’s not clear how many affected are residents and how many are staff. A spokesperson for the Iowa Department of Public Health clarified that On With Life is defined as a free standing nursing facility. She would not disclose when the organization informed the department about its outbreak in Ankeny, saying such details “are confidential as part of case investigations.”

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Full text of statement posted on On With Life’s website and Facebook page on April 13, and emailed to people who have previously used On With Life’s rehabilitation services:

To Our On With Life Family, On With Life was created out of the challenges experienced by our founding families after their loved ones’ lives were forever changed. Because of those origins, we understand what it means to overcome. More than a month ago, as COVID-19 cases were first documented in Iowa, On With Life implemented several processes to protect our persons served and staff. Given our frequent admissions as a rehabilitation provider, we felt it was essential to coordinate our response as quickly as possible. In the last week our team has faced a new chapter in this pandemic as COVID-19 cases were confirmed within our Ankeny Inpatient program. As expected, our team moved into this new phase with the same expertise and dedication that form the foundation of the organization. Their number one goal was the safety and well-being of the people we serve. While this pandemic is the most significant challenge On With Life has experienced, our team has responded with a heroic combination of competence and grace. I am very proud and encouraged as I work alongside our team to continue to ensure the safety of our persons served and staff. Thank you for your continued support of the entire On With Life family. Our team has been overwhelmed by both words of encouragement and donations of needed protective equipment. Please continue to send positive thoughts as our staff work on the front lines in support of those we serve. Keep our persons served and their families in your thoughts as they continue their rehabilitation journey. Continue to follow recommendations related to social distancing to limit the spread of this highly contagious virus. The coming days will be tough, but our persons served and families will provide us with hope and purpose as we continue On With Life’s mission. As always, thank you for your support and love of On With Life. We need it now more than ever. Jean Shelton, CEO

Are you aware of COVID-19 cases at Iowa residential facilities that have not been reported? Please contact Laura Belin confidentially.

Top image: Photo of On With Life’s Ankeny campus, taken from the organization’s Facebook page.