Comp Systems reports outbreak of COVID-19 at Charles City location

By James Grob, jgrob@charlescitypress.com

Comprehensive Systems Inc. in Charles City announced in a statement on Wednesday that its Crestview facility is experiencing an outbreak of COVID-19. An outbreak is defined as having three or more individuals testing positive for the virus.

According to coronavirus.iowa.gov, three new cases of positive COVID-19 test results were reported in Floyd County on Tuesday.

“Comprehensive Systems is communicating with the Iowa Department of Public Health and continues to monitor the situation daily,” the statement said. “Family members of individuals impacted will be contacted on an individual basis.”

At this time, the positive COVID-19 cases are isolated to the Crestview location at 1700 Clark St., according to the statement. Comp Systems said all individuals at the Crestview facility would be tested, and testing is being offered to all Crestview staff members.

Comprehensive Systems Inc. is a community-based, private, non-profit Iowa corporation that provides support to more than 300 individuals with special needs. The group’s services include residential, vocational and day services in a five-county area, with locations in Charles City, Osage, Mason City, New Hampton, Cedar Falls and Waterloo.

When asked on Thursday if there were any updates to Wednesday’s statement, representatives of Comprehensive Systems declined to comment.

As of Thursday afternoon, there have been a total of nine confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Floyd County, with one death and two reported recovered cases. In addition to the three reported cases on Tuesday, there were two positive tests on Monday and one each on Saturday and Sunday. The other two positive tests in Floyd County were on April 29 and May 4.

A total of 381 individuals have been tested locally, as of Thursday, with 109 tests conducted on Tuesday this week, by far the most in a single day.

(UPDATE: There was one more positive test reported on Thursday, bringing Floyd County’s total to 10. Floyd County’s total number of individuals tested is now 398.)

On Thursday, the Iowa Department of Public Health announced 12 more people with COVID-19 have died in Iowa, bringing the statewide total to 318. Also, 386 more people tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 13,675.

Gov. Kim Reynolds announced Wednesday that she is lifting mandated closures of barbershops, salons and massage therapy businesses statewide starting Friday. Restrictions previously lifted on establishments like restaurant dining areas, libraries, race tracks and fitness centers in 77 of Iowa’s counties will be lifted statewide Friday.

Bars, casinos and theaters must remain closed until May 27, and open establishments will continue to be subject to some capacity restrictions and extra health measures.

Comprehensive Systems stated that consistent with Iowa Department of Public Health guidelines, all employees are following the instructions for essential health care workers.

The facility was one of the first in the community to take precautions and employ restrictions at the onset of COVID-19. In early March, the group said it was asking visitors who are displaying respiratory symptoms such as a cough, or a fever, to postpone their visit until further notice.

The group also stopped all unnecessary community outings from its residential and day programs at that time.

“Comprehensive Systems Inc. is taking a proactive approach to protect our vulnerable population,” the group said in March. “We will continue following the Iowa Department of Public Health and Epidemiologist’s Office for guidance.”

Comprehensive Systems stated it would provide updates as appropriate on its Facebook page and website at www.comprehensivesystems.org.