Iowa Public Health Department Releases Saturday COVID-19 Statistics
(Des Moines) — An additional 648 positive cases of COVID-19 coronavirus was reported by state health officials on Saturday, bringing the state’s total now to 5,092 positive cases in Iowa. There have been an additional 1,730 negative tests for a total of 29,258 negative tests to date, which includestesting reported by the State Hygienic Lab and other labs. The number of
positive cases will continue to grow as Test Iowa sites open and additional surveillance testing of large businesses and nursing home staff continues.
According to the Iowa Department of Public Health, an additional 5 deaths were also reported, 293 are currently hospitalized, and 1,723 Iowans have recovered. At this time, 1 in 91 Iowans have already been tested.
The IDPH reports 5 additional deaths in the following counties:
BlackHawk County, 1 middle-age adult (41-60 years)
JohnsonCounty, 1 older adult (61-80 years)
PolkCounty, 1 older adult (61-80 years), 1 elderly adult (81+)
ScottCounty, 1 elderly adult (81+).
Reynolds May Agree To Open Some Businesses, Including Elective Surgeries
(Des Moines) — During her daily briefing held Friday, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds offered a hint that she may be prepared to allow some businesses to open again. Reynolds says she will perhaps make the official announcement on Monday, but added, the businesses would need to remain closed until the end of April.
Governor Reynolds also is granting local farmers markets to begin operations, providing they follow appropriate public health precautions.
Reporters asked the governor since our COVID-19 numbers keep increasing, and the peak has not yet been determined, is it a wise decision to begin opening some of Iowa businesses? Sarah Reisetter with the Iowa Department of Pulic Health stepped to the podium to answer the question.
The governor, along with officials with the Iowa Department of Public Health stated that some elective surgeries may be granted within the near future.
That prompted questions from the media asking about the availability of Personal Protective Equipment, and whether Iowa still has a shortage of such medical equipment such as gloves, masks, face-shields, and surgical gowns?
Fatal Vehicle Accident At Moville
(Moville) — A fatality accident occurred at the intersection of Highways 20 and 140 at Moville Sunday morning shortly after 10:00 a.m. Killed was 15 year old Leuchann Johnson, Jr. of Williamsburg, Virginia. According to the traffic report by the Iowa State Patrol a 2018 International Truck driven by 37-year old Leuchann Johnson Senior was heading westbound on U-S Highway 20 and failed to stop at the four-way stop sign striking the second vehicle within the intersection that was northbound. The second vehicle was being driven by 62-year old Roger Clark of Moville. Clark was driving a 2000 Ford Ranger pickup. The International truck driven by Johnson came to rest on its
side within the median and the passenger was pronounced dead at the scene.
Clark was transported to MercyOne in Sioux City by the Moville Ambulance, and Johnson was taken to Unity Point of St. Lukes in Sioux City. Assisting at the scene were the Moville Fire Department and Ambulance, Lawton Fire Department and Ambulance, and Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office.
Two Le Mars People Injured In Friday Accident
(Hull) — Three people were injured and two of them were airlifted to a Sioux Falls hospital after an accident near Hull on Friday afternoon, April 24th.
According to the Sioux County Sheriff’s Office, about 4:20 p.m., 25-year old Keegan Robinson of Le Mars was driving a 2011 Kia Sorento westbound on Highway 18, a mile west of Hull. They report that 36-year old Christopher Kelderman of Doon was driving a 2016 Ford-350 Super Duty pickup was heading
northbound on Harrison Avenue. Officials says Kelderman apparently failed to stop for the stop sign at Highway 18 and entered the intersection. The vehicles collided and both entered the north ditch and rolled. The Hull Ambulance took Robinson and a passenger, 19-year old Jordan Jacobsen of Le Mars to Sioux Center Health. Both were later flown to Avera McKennan
Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota for further treatment of serious injuries, according to the report. It says the Sioux Center Ambulance took Kelderman to Orange City Health System for treatment of his injuries. The Robinson Kia sustained about $7,000 in damage. The Kelderman pickup sustained an estimated $28,000 in damage. The Sioux County Sheriff’s Office
reports the Hull Fire Department and personnel from both the Hull Ambulance and Sioux Center Ambulance squads assisted with the response to the accident.
Officials say alcohol is believed to have been a factor in the accident, which remains under investigation.
Iowa DNR Extending Closures of Campground, Park Facilities Until May 14
(Des Moines, IA) — The Iowa D-N-R is extending the closure of campgrounds and other park facilities until May 14th due to the COVID-19 health emergency. State parks and forests remain open for day use but visitors are reminded to abide by social distancing rules. The closures include bathrooms, playgrounds, shelters, visitor centers and all programs and events. The D-N-R says it will work with people who have reservations affected by the extended closures.
Senator Ernst Part Of Bipartisan Group Seeking Federal Aid For Media During Pandemic
(Washington, DC) — U-S Senator Joni Ernst is part of a bipartisan group seeking federal aid for local media who cover the COVID-19 pandemic. The Iowa Republican has signed a letter to the Office of Management and Budget requesting the financial relief for local radio and televisions stations, and
newspapers, during the outbreak. The group says local reporting and information is critical at this time. Seventy-three other senators signed the letter which urges federal agencies to buy advertising to help increase local revenues.
Iowa City Police Asking For Public’s Help To Locate Suspect
(Iowa City, IA) — Iowa City police are asking the public’s help in a search for a 44-year-old suspect in a fatal shooting incident last week.
Kejuan Winters was killed April 20th. Police say Reginald “Reggie” Demorrow is wanted for questioning in the murder case. Iowa City Area Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to one thousand dollars for information leading to Demorrow’s arrest. Police say the suspect is black, five-feet-eight-inches
tall, 150 pounds and should be considered armed and dangerous.
Kidnapping Suspect Arrested In Ankeny
(Ankeny, IA) — Ankeny police say they have taken a 46-year-old kidnapping suspect into custody. Officers responded to a report of a kidnapping in progress Sunday at about 4:15 a-m. They found Paul Justin Jamison outside a
building with a child. Officers say he was armed with a knife and tried to run away, but he was caught. The child was recovered safely. Jamison faces charges of second-degree kidnapping, going armed with intent, and interference with official acts while displaying a dangerous weapon. His relation to the victim hasn’t been released.
