The number of Iowans who have tested positive for the novel coronavirus is at 3,942, with 176 more positive cases identified in the 24 hours preceding Wednesday, April 22,O at 10 am. Gov Kim Reynolds had said earlier in the week the number of COVID-19 cases would increase with surveillance testing conducted in Iowa’s meat packing plants.
Reynolds at her Thursday press briefing gave percentages to give what she called “a different perspective.” Of the 29,262 Iowans tested, 13 percent have tested positive, compared to a national rate of 18.4 percent (as reported by the Centers for Disease Control).
As of Wednesday, 77 percent of the positive cases have been among adults ages 18-60. Twenty-two percent have been in adults older than 60, and 1 percent has been in persons younger than 18 years.
Of all Iowans with COVID-19, 10 percent are staff or residents of long term care facilities, 16 percent are healthcare workers, and 29 percent work in manufacturing facilities.
COVID-19 has been identified in 84 of Iowa’s 99 counties. Eleven counties are home to 81 percent of those with the illness; five counties alone have 52 percent of the positive cases.
More importantly, 51 counties have had four or fewer cases. (Greene County has reported just one positive case. That person was monitored at home by Greene County public health.)
Of long term care residents who have tested positive, 65 persons have recovered, 84 are ill but not hospitalized, and 24 are currently hospitalized.
Six additional deaths were reported: one adult age 41-60 and three adults age 81 or older in Polk County; one person 81 or older in Muscatine County; and one person 81 or older in Bremer County. A total of 96 Iowans have died of COVID-19; 85 percent those who have died were 61 or old
Reynolds reported that 121,000 Iowans have filled out the assessment on TestIowa.com.
She again encouraged all Iowans to do the assessment. It not only will be used to show where COVID activity is increasing so proactive steps can be taken, but it will also provide information that will allow the state to reopen “in a measured and responsible way while continuing to manage virus activity going forward,” Reynolds said.
“We must get Iowa back to work sooner rather than later, and the more we continue to learn about the virus in Iowa, the better we’ll be able to balance the health of our people and the health of our economy,” she said.
At the press briefing Wednesday, Reynolds provided a telephone number to complete the Test Iowa assessment without a computer. She walked back on that Thursday, and said instead that those who don’t have internet access should ask a family member or trusted friend with access to help.
She also announced the U.S. Treasury has provided guidance on using CARES Act funding. She said funds can be used for the small business relief program through the Iowa Economic Development Authority. She directed IEDA director Debi Durham to begin funding the backlog of applications immediately.
“The past several weeks have been difficult ones. Our lives have been disrupted and many Iowa families are struggling, but better days are ahead. Life may not return to normal exactly as we knew it, it might be a new normal for a while, but that’s OK. The COVID-19 pandemic has taught us all a few things about ourselves, and maybe one of the greatest lessons has been a reminder of what’s really matters…. There may be some things we have to do differently, going forward, but I’m sure we’ll all continue to adapt and learn new ways to do things,” Reynolds said.
Reynolds was asked twice during the Q&A about whether the emergency declaration, set to expire next Thursday at midnight, will be extended. She said she hopes to have news on Friday.
“We’re looking at different ways we can approach that based on data and metrics that we have,” she said, and added that it would be looked at statewide, regionally, by county, or by zip code. “We can drill down in the data and see what makes sense… Iowans are ready to get back to work. We know we need to do it in a responsible manner. It’s physical, it’s mental, it’s financial well-being. All of that is part of the picture.”
She was also asked how she came to partner with Utah-based NOMI for the $26 million Test Iowa initiative. She said there’s “an Iowa touch” in the story, that she was talking with Iowa-native actor Ashton Kutcher about doing a public service announcement about COVID mitigation when he asked if she was familiar with Test Utah. An acquaintance of his was working with Test Utah, and he put Reynolds in touch with him. The staffs also got in touch. “We were able to ramp that up relatively quickly,” Reynolds said.
Reynolds added that the Iowa Department of Public Health is working with the University of Iowa and Iowa State University on serology testing.
Complete information on COVID-19 in Iowa is available at coronavirusiowa.gov
