(Des Moines)– Governor Kim Reynolds says she’s cautiously optimistic additional mitigation measures she put into place under a proclamation issued on November 18th may be starting to have the desired effect. She made the comments during a press conference this (Tues.) morning…
“During the week of November 15th through the 21st we saw new cases decrease to 24,210 and the positivity rate drop to 21 percent, a slight improvement. But still too high and the number of Iowans hospitalized with COVID-19 peaked at 1,510. Last week from November 22nd through the 28th we saw our most significant progress in weeks. More than 14,200 new cases were reported, about half of the previous week’s total, and the positivity rate was at 15 percent, a six percent drop. So even though most testing stopped for the day of Thanksgiving, more than 95,000 Iowans were still tested last week which is several thousand more than were tested during the first week of November. And further results indicate that the decline in cases and positivity isn’t simply because of the holiday. At a local level many counties are reporting positivity rates over time that are either stabilizing or decreasing.”
The Governor said, however, increased outbreaks are continuing to occur at long term care facilities around the state and added that’s very concerning.
Reynolds also called on Congress to pass an additional relief package…
“We’ve remained targeted in our approach and while I didn’t close any businesses, the limited hours of operations and the social distancing requirements have had an impact on our hospitality industry through no fault of their own. It’s time for Congress to come together and get a relief package passed and get some relief to our small businesses and Iowa families who are suffering.”
Asked about whether she would call a special legislative session for possible relief from the state level, the Governor said she currently has no plans to do that, adding the state resources wouldn’t be nearly enough to provide what’s needed.
