Home News Monday Afternoon News, March 30th

Monday Afternoon News, March 30th

Six People Have Now Died In Iowa From Coronavirus

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Officials say the coronavirus pandemic has claimed the lives of two more Iowa residents, raising the state death toll to six. The Iowa Public Health Department says in a news release that it’s been notified of 88 more positive COVID-19 tests, taking the state total to 424. Nearly 6,200 people have tested negative for the new coronavirus that causes COVID-19. The two dead people were described as age 81 or older. One lived in Linn County, the other in Washington County. The state reported 38 new cases Sunday and the fourth death of an Iowa resident.

 

 

Area Schools Offer Free Lunches To Students During COVID-19 Scare

(Le Mars) — Many area school districts, including the Le Mars Community School District, are offering free lunches to students during this time when schools are temporarily recessed due to the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. Judy Lubben serves as the Director of Food Services for the Le Mars Community School District and is overseeing the local “Grab and Go” lunch distribution program. Lubben says it is set up similar to the summer-based lunch program.

Lubben says, so far, her staff has created about half the number of daily lunches for the “Grab and Go” program as would be for the regular school lunch menu served if school was in session.

The school district food service director believes the program will grow, especially, if the threat of the coronavirus continues. Lubben says the lunches are available to any student in Le Mars, and not limited to just those attending Le Mars Community.

Lubben says the meals are free to the students, as the program is being financed through a grant with the U-S Department of Agriculture.

Lubben says the qualifications for the free lunch are fairly simple.

The Le Mars program serves both breakfast and lunches, and are offered at Clark Elementary and the Le Mars Community High School at their respective loading docks. Lubben says this week the lunches have consisted of cold sandwiches, but next week, her staff will begin serving hot meals.

In addition to Le Mars, Kingsley-Pierson and the MMCRU school district are also offering free lunches through the “Grab and Go” program.

 

 

Floyd Valley Healthcare Celebrates “National Doctors Day”

(Le Mars) — Today is National Doctor’s Day and although in years past we have expressed our appreciation to those in the chosen medical health field, because of the spread of the COVID19 coronavirus this year we are especially grateful to doctors and all medical health professionals for their assistance
during this time of concern due to the virus. Dustin Wright is the C-E-O of Floyd Valley Healthcare and says many doctors, especially lately, have had to work long hours and continuous days.

Wright says Floyd Valley has more than 30 doctors that practice on a regular basis, with a portion of that number of surgeons, specialists, and physicians that work through Floyd Valley as part of an out-reach program.

Wright says as a way to show appreciation for the doctors, but also the entire medical health team, Floyd Valley provided a free lunch to the entire
staff.

The Floyd Valley Administrator says in early May is when the nurses and the entire hospital staff are officially recognized.

(photos contributed by Floyd Valley Healthcare.)

 

 

State Health Officials Believe COVID-19 May Peak In Two To Three Weeks

(Des Moines) — A person from Linn County with COVID-19 died Saturday night.  State public health officials say the person was between the ages of 61 and 80. It’s the fourth death in the state connected to the pandemic. A total of 336 COVID-19 cases have been confirmed within the state. Sarah Reisetter of the Iowa Department of Public Health says projections indicate
the number of cases will continue to climb.

Reisster is urging Iowans who live in a county where a positive case of COVID-19 has not been reported to stay vigilant
about personal hygiene and staying home, if possible.

(photos contributed.)

Governor Reynolds emphasizes that the incubation period for the virus is up to 14 days.

The latest figures from the Iowa Department of Public Health indicate 51 Iowans were hospitalized on Saturday night for treatment of COVID-19. Experts say 80 percent of those who get the virus will either not have any symptoms, or their symptoms will be mild, and they’ll be able to recover at home.
……..

 

 

Pleasantville Church Burns Down From Fire

PLEASANTVILLE, Iowa (AP) – Firefighters are battling a fire at a church in south-central Iowa that erupted before dawn Monday. Several firetrucks were dispatched to the Pleasantville Christian Church before 6 a.m. Water was sprayed down from a nozzle mounted on an aerial ladder as flames danced and heavy gray smoke billowed from the multilevel building. No injuries have been reported. The fire cause will be investigated.