Also orders closings of more businesses
Gov Kim Reynolds warned at her Monday morning press conference that she expects this week “will be equally if not more difficult” than last week.
She reported a total of 946 cases of COVID-19 spread across 75 counties. A total of 25 Iowans have died of COVID-19 as of Sunday at 6 pm. “My sincerest condolences go out to the families the caretakers, and the communities of the Iowans we’ve lost to this terrible virus,” she said.
She used her press conference to put more teeth into enforcement of the existing mitigation efforts without mandating shelter-in-place.
“I know I’ve asked a lot of Iowans over the course of the last month, and today I’m asking more…. All of the closures and restrictions outlined in the disaster emergency proclamation will be enforced, specifically the limitation on social gathering,” Reynolds said.
She called upon Iowa Department of Public Safety commissioner Stephan Bayens to discuss enforcement of the ban on social gatherings.
“The Department of Public Safety and local law enforcement agencies throughout the state stand ready to protect and serve all Iowans whenever they’re called upon, including now during this health emergency,” Bayens said.
Guidance will be issued to local law enforcement this week on their role in enforcing the orders, Bayens said.
He said violating the orders could result in being charged with a simple misdemeanor, “but worse, your actions may needlessly place Iowans at risk.” He said only a small segment of the population is “throwing caution to the wind and ignoring the limitations on social gatherings…. As a result, law enforcement will take reasoned and measured steps if we’re force to do so.”
Bayens named three steps law enforcement will take: 1) educate the public on the law and the need for it; 2) encourage Iowans to comply and disperse on their own if needed; and 3) enforce the governor’s orders.
“I can’t stress this enough, that every Iowan has the ability and responsibility to do their part in slowing the spread of this virus. I’d ask every Iowan to hone their behaviors and be part of the solution rather than the problem. Your willingness to do so is critical in protecting your own health, as well as that of our first responders, health care workers, and your fellow Iowans,” Bayens said in closing his remarks.
Reynolds also mandated closures of more businesses to include malls, social and fraternal clubs, bowling alleys, libraries, skating rinks, outdoor and indoor playgrounds, campgrounds and others. The closures are in effect through April 30.
During the Q & A portion of the press conference, Reynolds was asked about the new projections of the University of Washington model discussed last week. At the time, the model was predicting close to 1,500 deaths in Iowa. The model was updated over the weekend to include mitigation efforts like closing schools and many businesses. It now predicts 420 deaths. Is predicts hospitalized cases to peak about April 26.
Reynolds provided numbers from the Iowa Department of Public Health: 78 new cases in the past 24 hours, for a total of 946 positive cases. There have been an additional 680 negative tests for a total of 10,653 negative tests to date, which includes testing reported by the State Hygienic Lab and other labs.
According to IDPH, an additional three deaths were also reported:
• Linn County, 1 older adult (61-80 years)
• Tama County, 2 elderly adults (81+)
According to IDPH, the locations and age ranges of the 78 individuals include:
• Allamakee County, 1 adult (18-40 years)
• Benton County, 1 middle-age adult (41-60 years)
• Cedar County, 1 middle-age adult (41-60 years)
• Cerro Gordo County, 2 older adults (61-80 years)
• Chickasaw County, 1 adult (18-40 years)
• Clinton County, 1 older adult (61-80 years)
• Crawford County, 1 middle-age adult (41-60 years)
• Dubuque County, 1 middle-age adult (41-60 years)
• Franklin County, 1 middle-age adult (41-60 years)
• Henry County, 1 adult (18-40 years)
• Jackson County, 1 middle-age adult (41-60 years)
• Johnson County, 5 adults (18-40 years), 6 middle-age adults (41-60 years), 1 older adult (61-80 years)
• Linn County, 5 adults (18-40 years), 6 middle-age adults (41-60 years), 2 older adults (61-80 years), 1 elderly adult (81+)
• Louisa County, 1 middle-age adult (41-60 years)
• Marion County, 1 older adult (61-80 years)
• Marshall County, 1 adult (18-40 years), 1 older adult (61-80 years)
• Muscatine County, 5 adults (18-40 years), 2 middle-age adults (41-60 years), 1 older adult (61-80 years)
• Page County, 1 middle-age adult (41-60 years)
• Polk County, 1 middle-age adult (41-60 years), 2 older adults (61-80 years)
• Pottawattamie County, 1 adult (18-40 years)
• Scott County, 2 adults (18-40 years), 7 middle age adults (41-60 years), 1 older adult (61-80), 1 elderly adult (81+)
• Tama County, 1 adult (18-40 years), 1 middle age adult (41-60 years), 1 older adult (61-80), 3 elderly adults (81+)
• Wapello County, 1 adult (18-40 years)
• Warren County, 1 adult (18-40 years)
• Washington County, 1 adult (18-40 years), 1 middle age adult (41-60 years), 1 older adult (61-80)
• Winnebago County, 1 middle age adult (41-60 years)
