Reynolds Says She May Allow For Some Businesses To Open
(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 Public 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?
Remsen St. Mary’s To Hold Auction For Gym Naming Rights
(Remsen) — Remsen St. Mary’s school plans to hold the “Naming of the Gymnasium” auction next Friday, May 1st. Sarah Garvin, is the Director of School Advancement for Remsen St. Mary’s and says interested bidders need to register by Monday.
Garvin says the auction will begin at 7:00 p.m. on Friday evening, and will be featured on the Remsen St. Mary’s Facebook page. However, Garvin says bids will not be accepted through the Facebook comment section.
Under normal circumstances, the naming of the gym would have taken place during the Remsen St. Mary’s annual fund raiser ball, which would have been held last Saturday, April 18th, if not for the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak.
Garvin says instead of holding the traditional fund raising ball, they held a “virtual” fund raiser.
Even though the circumstances were different, Garvin says the amount raised so far this year is comparable to past year’s fund raising efforts.
The Remsen St. Mary’s school official says the amount of money raised will go to help support the general budget. She says a committee will later determine what activities or academics will specifically benefit from the generated funds. Garvin says anyone interested in donating funds to Remsen St. Mary’s can still do so by contacting the schools Development Office. Jim
Klein of the Jim Klein Realty and Auction of Remsen will serve as the auctioneer for the naming of the gymnasium.
Two People From Le Mars Involved In Sioux County 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.
(courtesy of KIWA)
Poison Control Center Says Don’t Ingest Bleach Or Disinfectant
(Des Moines) — Some people are misinterpreting comments made by President Trump during a White House news conference on Thursday as a potential cure or prevention for COVID-19, but that’s not the case. Tammy Noble, a registered nurse and
spokeswoman for the Iowa Poison Control Center, says under no circumstances
should anyone inject bleach or a disinfectant.
Noble says the Sioux City-based hotline has taken -no- calls about this topic, but since the pandemic began, there
has been an increase in calls about a variety of problems related to hand sanitizers, bleach and disinfectants.
If you’ll be using any of those types of chemicals, Noble says to read and follow the directions carefully and keep the area well ventilated by opening doors and windows.
Never mix bleach with ammonia or other chemicals or products, including vinegar, as it can create a toxic gas. Noble also reminds Iowans to store chemicals up and away, out of reach of children. The Iowa Poison Control Center is open around the clock, every day at 1-800-222-1222.
State Health Officials Reports Biggest Daily Increase in COVID-19 Cases, Deaths
(Des Moines, IA) — The Iowa Department of Public Health is reporting the biggest daily increases in COVID-19 cases and deaths. State health officials confirmed 521 new positive tests for coronavirus, bringing the total to four-thousand-445. Eleven more deaths means 107 Iowans have died from COVID-19. Two-hundred-87 Iowans are hospitalized and more than 16-hundred
patients are no longer in isolation. There have been more than 27-thousand negative tests in the state.
Campgrounds Urged To Remain Closed Through Mid-May
(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.
Seven Polk County Jail Inmates Test Positive For Coronavirus
(Polk County, IA) — The Polk County Sheriff’s Office says seven jail inmates tested positive for COVID-19. Deputies are using isolation areas to separate infected inmates. The first positive case was reported Monday.
Officials say they are aggressively cleaning and sanitizing the jail and increasing distancing with staff and inmate populations. Jail staff have their temperatures checked before and after all shifts.
