The Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation has announced the first two groups that will receive grants under the foundation’s COVID-19 Disaster Response Fund. St. Luke’s Healthcare Foundation and Willis Dady Homeless Services will each receive $2,500. The Community Foundation is a nonprofit that supports other organizations in Linn County by offering grants, support and connecting […]
Izabela Zaluska
Posted inCOVID-19
More than 200 COVID-19 cases confirmed in Linn County, Cedar Rapids may close parks and trails due to overcrowding
The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 continues to increase daily in Linn County, which has the most positive cases and deaths caused by the virus of any county in Iowa. On average, the number of cases has increased by 12 each day since March 21, when the first positive cases of the virus were […]
Posted inCOVID-19
Linn County Public Health will hold a virtual town hall on COVID-19
Linn County Public Health is having a virtual town hall on Friday, April 10, that will focus on what people can do to reduce community spread of COVID-19. The virtual town hall, which begins at noon, will be held via GoToMeeting, a video conference software. LCPH Clinical Services Supervisor Heather Meador and Dr. Dustin Arnold […]
Posted inCOVID-19
Mercy Cedar Rapids opens second respiratory clinic
Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids has opened a second clinic dedicated to caring for patients experiencing symptoms of respiratory illness, including COVID-19, the hospital announced on Monday. Mercy opened its first clinic in late March. Shortly after it was opened, the clinic moved in order to increase its patient capacity. It is currently located […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Cedar Rapids schools will provide voluntary learning opportunities for students during extended school closure
Cedar Rapids Community School District (CRCSD) will be offering voluntary continuous learning for its students during the extended school closure, Superintendent Noreen Bush announced on Monday. On April 2, Gov. Kim Reynolds extended school closures through April 30. Reynolds has not ordered schools to close for the remainder of the school year. School districts have […]
Posted inCOVID-19
Linn County officials, preparing for a ‘patient surge,’ urge residents to stay home, wear a cloth mask if out
At the start of Linn County Public Health’s Monday press conference, Supervisor Stacey Walker shared how the county’s confirmed cases of COVID-19 have changed in only a week’s time. “When I last spoke to you, just under a week ago, there were 71 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Linn County,” Walker said. “Now, we have […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Health officials discuss coping with stress as you practice social distancing
It’s been almost a month since the first cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in Iowa, and health experts are reminding individuals about the importance of focusing on mental health during the pandemic. School and business closures, working from home, disruption to a daily routine and staying inside are some of the things Iowans are having […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Leaf collection begins on Monday in Cedar Rapids, but with a change due to COVID-19
Cedar Rapids residents planning to rake their yards this weekend in preparation for spring cleaning are in luck — leaf collection begins on Monday, April 6. Residents can expect to have the leaf vacuum trucks come by their homes on their regular garbage day, unless trucks are slowed down by weather or volume. If that’s […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Cedar Rapids police warn of COVID-19 scams, discuss closure enforcement; city closes more outdoor spots
The City of Cedar Rapids is closing additional outdoor facilities to limit the spread of COVID-19. Last week, the city announced playgrounds and outdoor exercise stations were temporarily closed. As of Thursday, Riverside Skate Park, basketball courts, tennis courts, sand volleyball and baseball fields are also closed. Signage has been posted at closed facilities, and […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Linn County homeless shelter will remain open 24/7 through April; LIFTS begins delivering groceries and prescriptions
Linn County’s overflow shelter for people experiencing homelessness will stay open through April. The Linn County Board of Supervisors approved the extension during its meeting on Monday. The overflow shelter opened last November at the county-owned Fillmore Center, 520 11th St NW. The shelter’s services are provided by Willis Dady Homeless Services. The overflow shelter […]
Posted inCommunity/News
COVID-19 outbreak identified at long-term care facility in Cedar Rapids; Linn County peak could be four weeks away
The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Linn County is estimated to peak in the next three to four weeks, Dr. Tony Myers of Mercy Medical Center said during a Linn County Public Health press conference on Monday. “There’s no way really to predict exactly how bad it’s going to get,” Myers said. “We […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Telemedicine has emerged as an ‘invaluable tool’ during COVID-19
As cases of COVID-19 increase in Iowa (particularly in Linn County, which, as of Monday morning, has the highest number of confirmed cases in the state at 71), hospitals are turning to telemedicine as a way to screen patients and care for more individuals while conserving personal protective equipment. Telemedicine has been an “invaluable tool […]
