COVID-19 Resources & Information
UnityPoint Health will continue delivering high-quality care to the patients and communities we serve as we react to COVID-19. Our top priority is keeping you and our team members safe and healthy by providing safe care, your way. To read the latest public health updates, please visit the CDC, WHO and Iowa Dept of Public Health websites.
News From Trusted Medical Experts
Stay informed with the latest information and updates you can trust from our team of medical experts and make sure you follow us on our social media channels for the latest news delivered directly to your newsfeed. You'll find the most up-to-date health news, patient stories, interviews with medical experts and system updates covering COVID-19.
COVID-19 FAQ
What is COVID-19?
COVID-19 is a respiratory disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, a new coronavirus discovered in 2019. This type of virus infects humans and animals, but this strain has not been seen in humans before 2019.
For more information, visit the CDC's website.
How does COVID-19 spread?
COVID-19 is spread in three main ways:
- Breathing in air when close to an infected person who is exhaling small droplets and particles that contain the virus.
- Having these small droplets and particles that contain virus land on the eyes, nose, or mouth, especially through splashes and sprays like a cough or sneeze.
- Touching eyes, nose, or mouth with hands that have the virus on them.
For more information, visit the CDC's website.
What are COVID-19 variants?
COVID-19 variantes, like the delta variant, are strains of the virus that causes COVID-19. Numerous variants of the virus that causes COVID-19 are being tracked in the United States and globally during this pandemic. To learn more, please visit the CDC's COVID-19 variants page.
What are symptoms of COVID-19?
People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:
- Fever or chills
- Fatigue
- Cough
- Headache
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Muscle or body aches
- Sore throat
- New loss of taste or smell
What should I do if I think I've been exposed to COVID-19, or have symptoms?
First, stay calm. If you notice COVID-19 symptoms, you should isolate from others as much as possible. Please contact your provider or nearest clinic as soon as possible for proper screening and assessment, which could include testing.
How can I stay safe from COVID-19?
Masks, vaccines, hand washing and social distancing are all layers of protection we have in order to fight COVID-19. The more layers we use, the better protected we'll be against the virus and spreading it to others.
Where can I find help with food assistance, paying bills or other needs?
Your entire well-being matters to us. When you need some help, we would like to make it easier for you to find free and reduced cost services for your needs. If you're looking for food assistance, help with paying bills, a ride somewhere important or other types of support begin your search here.
Our Together We Care community resources tool is free to use. It offers completely private searches to help you to find free and reduced-cost local community resources specific to your needs. Local community resources are accessible to members of your local community through programs, services, support groups or other offerings.
How to Give Help
As a nonprofit healthcare system, we are deeply grateful for the overwhelming charitable donations and offers of support pouring in from our amazing communities! Thank you for your continued support our UnityPoint Health team members and patients.
Donate to Support our Health Care Heroes
In these unprecedented times, it takes a village to meet the challenges of COVID-19. Your gift now, more than ever, will be felt. Even if you are not on the frontlines, your help will be. It will show what happens when our hearts, our humanity, and our communities rise, as one.
Your support of our Health Care Heroes will help us continue the battle of COVID-19. Your compassionate gift will ensure our doctors, nurses and countless other healthcare workers will have the resources they need to show up every day, for you. We are in this together and, together, we will get through this. Thank you for standing with us; you are at the center of everything we do.