Iowa Now Has 44 Positive Cases Of COVID-19
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The number of Iowa residents who have tested positive for the new coronavirus has climbed to 44. The number of positive cases was up from 38 on Wednesday and followed Gov. Kim Reynolds’ order earlier in the week for restaurants, bars and other public gathering spots to
close for two weeks. Speaking Thursday at a news conference, Reynolds and Dr. Caitlin Pedati, the state public health medical director, declined to give specifics about whether there were enough testing kits or protective equipment for health care workers. Instead, they emphasized the need to take
simple actions that would slow the spread of the disease.
State Officials Say Medical Masks And Gloves Are In Short Supply
(Johnston) — The state hygienic lab has the capacity to conduct up to 800 COVID-19 tests and has set up three shifts for round-the-clock operations at the lab. State officials are discouraging wide spread testing, however — partly because health care workers conducting the tests must use personal protective equipment, like face masks and gloves which are in short supply.
Dr. Caitlin Pedati is the state medical director.
State public health officials have asked Iowa contractors and others who have protective gear like masks to donate those items to hospitals and health care facilities. Pedati says there’s high demand globally and nationally for these
supplies.
Once production of masks, gloves and other protective gear ramps up under President Trump’s use of the Defense Production Act, Governor Reynolds says she’ll channel orders for those critical medical supplies through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
State officials are assessing the supply and demand for these items daily, according to Reynolds.
As for COVID-19 tests, Iowa Department of Public Health recommendations limit tests to hospital PATIENTS, to health care workers with symptoms after being around a COVID-19 patient and to those who’ve had direct contact with a person confirmed to have COVID-19. Iowans who’ve returned to COVID hot spots
like China or Italy may also be tested if they show symptoms. Dr. Pedati says widespread testing isn’t recommended because most people with COVID-19 have mild symptoms and should isolate at home, rest and drink fluids – just as one should with a cold.
Iowa now has 44 confirmed cases of COVID-19 – 25 women and 19 men. Nearly half are over the age of 60.
Dr. Steven Meis Talks About COVID-19
(Le Mars) — A physician at Floyd Valley Healthcare wants to make certain people know the facts as they relate to the spread of the COVID-19, coronavirus. Dr. Steven Meis has been a medical physician in Le Mars for 27 years. Meis says we don’t need to panic, but we do need to be aware, concerned, and cautious of the wide spread virus.
Meis says the other consideration we all need to remember is the coronavirus can mutate and multiply fairly quickly.
Meis says the medical industry is hoping to slow down the rate of exposure and positive cases in Iowa, by having schools, offices, businesses, and other entities being shut down.
The Floyd Valley physician says he hopes the rate of contaminations can be maintained at a fairly level pace.
KLEM will feature additional comments from Dr. Meis as he discusses the facts about coronavirus.
Orange City Chamber To Offer Rebates
(Orange City) — The Orange City Chamber of Commerce is doing what it can to help its businesses and restaurants during this time of heighten awareness of the coronavirus. As a way to encourage people to continue doing business within the community, the Orange City Chamber is issuing a rebate program. Mike Hofman is the executive director with the Orange City Chamber of Commerce and explains how the rebate program will work.
Hofman says the program starts immediately. He says the Orange City Chamber already has build-up funds amounting to $50,000 for the program, and he is hoping to add more for the program.
The Orange City Chamber official says the maximum amount of a purchase for the rebate program is $1000. Hofman says the local grocery stores are excluded from the rebate offer program, but otherwise it does include many of the small businesses and restaurants in Orange City and Alton.
Hofman says many of the Orange City and Alton dine-in restaurants have now begun offering take-out and delivery services.
On another note, despite Pella cancelling its Tulip Time Festival, Hofman says Orange City officials are still hopeful they can continue with their annual tulip festival.
This year marks the 80th anniversary for the Orange City Tulip Festival, as well as Orange City’s Sesquicentennial Celebration. Hofman says organizers of the celebrations are hoping they will be able to proceed.
The Orange City Tulip Festival and Orange City Sesquicentennial celebration is scheduled for May 14th, 15th, and 16th.
Bankers’ Survey Shows A Slowdown In Economy
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – A new survey of bankers in rural parts of 10 Plains and Western states suggests they expect the economy to slow down over the next few months as the nation deals with the coronavirus outbreak. The overall index for the region fell to 35.5 in March from February’s healthy 51.6 reading. Any score below 50 suggests a shrinking economy. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss said 61 percent of the bankers surveyed expect the measures being taken to fight the coronavirus to lead to a recession. Bankers from Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming were surveyed.
Man Shot By Iowa State Patrol Troopers Now Identified
WEBSTER CITY, Iowa (AP) – Iowa authorities have identified a man shot to death earlier this week as he held a woman hostage, as well as the troopers involved in the shooting. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation said in a news release Thursday that 35-year-old Darwin Barnett Foy, of Fort Dodge, was killed by troopers Monday afternoon in Webster City. The three Iowa State Troopers involved were Sgt. James Smith and Troopers Tyrel Williamson and Jeremy Schaffer. The Iowa Public Safety Department says Foy was shot hours after officers responded to a woman’s 911 call. Officials say Foy had threatened to shoot the woman when the troopers went into the home and shot him.
Nebraska Man Convicted On Numerous Charges
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – A Nebraska man who was fired upon by a Sioux City officer has been convicted of several charges. The Sioux City Journal reports that a judge found Douglas St. Cyr guilty of assault on a police officer, leaving the scene of an accident and guilty of several other crimes. The nonjury trial was held Nov. 5, and the judge filed the verdicts Monday. Police have said St. Cyr rammed the undercover officer’s car on July 31 and fled. The officer fired at St. Cyr but missed him and three other people in the car.
