(Johnston)– The Iowa Department of Public Health announced today (Mon.) an additional 123 new positive cases of COVID-19 in the state, bringing the total number of cases since the outbreak began to 1,710. Two additional deaths were reported, with one each from Linn and Muscatine counties. That brings the total number of deaths in Iowa so far to 43. 142 Iowans were hospitalized with COVID-19 as of Sunday evening.
Speaking at a press conference this (Mon.) morning, Governor Kim Reynolds, did say there is reason, however, for optimism…
“The number of Iowans who have successfully recovered from COVID-19 continues to increase daily, and later this week we’ll share information about what Iowa’s epicurve is telling us about our onset of illness. These signs are encouraging but they certainly are not a reason enough for us to let up on our mitigation efforts at this time. As we’ve been saying we project that Iowa’s peak will occur later this month and until then we anticipate our number of positive cases and unfortunately our deaths, will continue to rise as well.”
The Governor also announced today (Mon.) the state is starting to deploy rapid test machines to a number of long term care facilities in Iowa…
“Staff and residents of long term care facilities account for more than 10 percent of all of our positive COVID cases in Iowa and 53 percent of all deaths are residents of long term care facilities. This is why is has been so important that we prioritize testing for essential workers and vulnerable Iowans. The Department of Public Health is working now to deploy the Abbott rapid testing machine to conduct surveillance testing among long term care facilities staff and residents.”
Governor Reynolds again urged Iowans to continue to stay home whenever possible and to practice social distancing and good hygiene.
