Plymouth County Reports First Confirmed COVID-19 Case
(Le Mars) — Plymouth County now has its first confirmed case of COVID-19 coronavirus. A case of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has been confirmed in Plymouth County. According to the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH), the individual is in self-isolation in their home. Tara Geddes, Plymouth
County Community Health Manager updates the situation.
Geddes says although the first case has been reported, local health officials expect to see additional cases in Plymouth County.
The Community Health Director says she encourages all residents to continue to make prevention a priority and continue to follow the directives sent out of the Governor’s Office.”
Geddes says prevention includes:
· Washing hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds each time.
· Covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow/upper arm.
· Staying home when ill.
As of April 2, there have been 614 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Iowa, according to the Iowa Department of Public Health. There are currently 74 people hospitalized due to the virus, while 46 others have been discharged and are now recovering. There were 347 positive cases that did not require hospitalization. There have been 11 deaths related to COVID-19.
In total, health officials have tested 8,054 negative cases in Iowa.
If you think you may need healthcare, call your provider before you go to the office. You may be given special instructions.
For up-to-date information on COVID-19, visit the IDPH webpage at https://idph.iowa.gov/Emerging-Health-Iss…/NovelCoronavirus
Reynolds Ask Schools and Businesses To Remain Closed Through April 30th
(Des Moines) — During Thursday’s news conference, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds requested schools to consider extending the time of being closed now through April 30th.
Initially, Reynolds had requested schools be closed starting on March 16th with the hope that students would return to classes on April 13th. However, due to the coronavirus continuing to spread and infecting more people, Governor Reynolds extended the deadline. Reynolds stopped short from asking
schools to remain closed through the end of the school season.
Le Mars Community School Superintendent, Dr. Steven Webner says Le Mars will follow the governor’s directive, and will continue to have the doors closed.
During the governor’s news conference, Reynolds urged schools to look at ways of teaching students through on-line efforts. Webner says Le Mars Community School administrators and teachers have explored that possibility, and have already started such efforts.
Governor Reynolds asked schools to look at both the voluntary and mandatory provisions. Webner tells what are the requirements from both categories.
Webner says it will take a team effort between the teachers, parents, and the students themselves in order to continue with the learning education process while school remains closed.
During the governor’s news conference, Reynolds also asked for stores to remain closed at least until the end of the month.
Reynolds Under Pressure To Implement “Shelter-In-Place” Order
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Pressure from medical experts and politicians on the federal and state level is building for a mandatory shelter-in-place order from Gov. Kim Reynolds who rejects such a move as unnecessary. The state is reporting 66 new cases for a total of 614 and two additional deaths, meaning
11 have died. Eli Percenevich, an epidemiologist physician overseeing infection prevention research at the University of Iowa, says the metrics Reynolds uses to decide her response isn’t staying ahead of the growth of infections and deaths. He joins Iowa Democratic legislative and congressional
leaders in calling on Reynolds to issue a stay at home order.
Lottery Officials Say Look For Smaller Jackpots
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Look for Powerball jackpots to get even smaller as the new coronavirus keeps more people at home, not out buying lottery tickets. It was only last week that the Powerball Product Group announced it would cut guaranteed jackpots in half and reduce the minimum amount the big
prize could grow between drawings. On Thursday, the organization said it would toss out even those guarantees and instead decide new jackpots and increases prior to each drawing. The leaders of Mega Millions, the other national lottery game, haven’t said if they will make similar changes to that
game.
Hundreds Gather For Horse Auction
SEYMOUR, Iowa (AP) – Officials in southern Iowa say hundreds of people have gathered in Wayne County for a horse auction being held on private property, despite a state order limiting gatherings to fewer than 10 people. Des Moines television station KCCI reports that the Midwest Trotting Horse Sale was held
Thursday near Seymour on the property of Ura Gingerich, after having first been postponed earlier in the month. The Wayne County Health Department set up checkpoints on the property to screen people before they could enter.
Department officials say at least one carload of people was sent away after being questioned as part of the screening. The department says it counted nearly 500 people attending the auction.
Missouri State Patrol Trooper To Receive Final Settlement From Lawsuit
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) – A former Missouri state patrol trooper who was driving a boat when an Iowa man fell out and drowned has received the last payment of a financial settlement he reached with the state. In February, Anthony Piercy accepted a $201,000 settlement of lawsuits he filed as he tried get his job back. He lost his law enforcement license after he pleaded guilty in 2017 to a misdemeanor boat violation in the 2014 death of 20-year-old Brandon Ellingson, of Clive, Iowa who drowned at the Lake of the Ozarks. In return for the settlement, Piercy agreed to not be reinstated as an officer.
