IOWA, USA — With businesses reopening in Iowa and daily updates coming from Gov. Kim Reynolds, Local 5 is working to separate the facts from fear during the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Here is the statewide coronavirus cases data as of 2:30 p.m. from the Iowa Department of Public Health:
- 372 deaths
- 107,582 Iowans have been tested
- 15,339 positive tests
- 91,985 negative tests
- 8,037 Iowans have recovered
- 383 hospitalized
- 37 outbreaks at long-term care facilities
To view the latest case information from the Iowa Department of the Public Health, scroll to the bottom of this story. Information is updated in real time.
May 19, 2020
WATCH: Full press conference from Gov. Kim Reynolds on May 19, 2020
No-bid vendor charged with felony in assault on woman
A Republican donor was awarded millions of dollars in no-bid contracts to supply personal protective equipment to Iowa’s executive branch, despite facing a pending felony charge alleging he brutally beat a woman last November.
David Greenspon, owner of Competitive Edge, Inc., is charged with willful injury causing serious injury in the November 2019 assault at his West Des Moines mansion.
Police say he kicked and struck the 37-year-old ex-lover numerous times in the head and face, chipping her front tooth and bruising her ribs.
Reporting by The Associated Press/Ryan J. Foley
Another nursing home test site opening in Cerro Gordo County
A new nursing home test site will open in Cerro Gordo County on Wednesday, the IDPH and governor's office announced Tuesday.
This is not a TestIowa site.
The site will be set up at the North Iowa Events Center and Fairgrounds in Mason City. It'll be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday and 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday.
Iowa OSHA acted appropriately on Tyson complaint, governor says
Gov. Kim Reynolds says Iowa regulators acted appropriately when they declined to inspect a Tyson Foods pork plant in Perry before hundreds of workers tested positive for the coronavirus.
Iowa Occupational Safety and Health records show the agency received an April 11 complaint alleging the virus was spreading on the production floor and in the cafeteria. The agency didn't contact Tyson until April 20 and closed the inquiry April 28 after determining Tyson’s safety efforts at the plant were satisfactory.
Iowa OSHA declined to inspect the plant, citing federal guidance at the time that said most coronavirus complaints don't require on-site visits.
Reporting by The Associated Press/Ryan J. Foley
To file a complaint with Iowa OSHA, click here.
Gov. Reynolds release more info on recent coronavirus website update
Iowans can now view real time reporting data on coronavirus.iowa.gov. This new update started on Monday. New cases, deaths, recoveries and more can be followed by visiting the website.
Local 5 is breaking down the details for you, click/tap here to find out more.
Iowa DHS director details guidance for childcare during pandemic
Iowa Department of Human Services Director Kelly Garcia reported "robust guidance with strong mitigation and hygiene measures and clear reporting protocols" issued by the department for child care centers across the state.
For example, child care providers will have to check temperatures of staff and children before they enter a facility. Parents will also have to drop off their children at the door.
The guidance also directs child care providers to report positive cases of staff and children. If a facility must close, the recommended time for closure will depend on the location and size of the program.
Garcia said closures can last from two days to two weeks depending on how long it takes to clean the facility. DHS will work closely with the IDPH to determine the appropriate time frame.
"We will ensure all staff and children have access to testing and adjusting to updated guidance for child care providers will also be providing guidance to parents to help them identify safe, good programs during the summer, to help them know what to look for and to ask the right questions so they feel confident in their childcare decisions," Garcia said.
Garcia noted that DHS is also working to equip facilities with disinfectant and thermometers, which she said isn't something DHS would normally do.
"But it was absolutely the right thing to do," she said. DHS is also providing additional financial support. All of the information Garcia spoke about can be found on the DHS website by clicking/tapping here.
State Medical Director explains how Iowa is using serology testing
State Medical Director and epidemiologist Dr. Caitlin Pedati explained how Iowa is using serology testing at Tuesday's COVID-19 press conference.
Pedati said the first thing you should know about serology testing is that it's different from the diagnostic polymerise chain reaction (PCR) testing.
PCR testing is done to find people who have a current infection. It's done with a swab through the nose that looks for "tiny pieces of genetic material that indicate that somebody is infected with the virus currently," Pedati explained.
Serology testing uses a blood sample to look for antibodies, which are formed by white blood cells as part of their response to a variety of bacteria and viruses.
In short, serology testing finds the antibodies formed after someone is infected with the virus.
Pedati said that Iowa is using these tests to not only confirm a case but to find blood donors.
Information on serology testing can be found below.
Iowa regulator praised Tyson for quick response to complaint
A safety regulator praised Tyson Foods for providing a quick written response after learning about a complaint alleging the coronavirus was spreading at its plant in Perry, Iowa before an outbreak was confirmed there.
Iowa Occupational Safety and Health Records obtained by The Associated Press show the agency received the complaint April 11, did not contact Tyson until April 20 and gave the company one week to respond. Tyson released records Tuesday showing that it responded two days after learning of the complaint and a state official praised its “diligence.”
The agency closed the inquiry April 28 after determining that Tyson’s response outlining its safety efforts at the plant was satisfactory.
Later, 730 workers at the plant tested positive for coronavirus.
Reporting by The Associated Press
Poll safety for June 2 primary
Masks, gloves and hand sanitizer will be available at all polling places, according to the Iowa Secretary of State's Office.
More than $500,000 in additional funding will be provided to cover the costs of other safety materials.
“Protecting voters and poll workers while making sure every eligible Iowan is able to safely cast a ballot is our goal,” Secretary of State Paul Pate said in a statement. “Polls will be open on June 2 and we want Iowans who choose to vote in-person to know we’re taking precautions to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19.”
Check with your county auditor for the most updated polling locations or the Iowa Secretary of State's website for more information.
State Hygienic Lab expands testing to include children, child care workers
Testing for the coronavirus at the State Hygienic Lab has been expanded.
According to guidance from the Iowa Department of Public Health, children and staff and childcare homes and childcare centers are now able to be tested if they're exhibiting a fever or respiratory symptoms.
9 more inmates test positive at Polk County Jail
65 inmates have now tested positive for COVID-19 at the Polk County Jail, an increase of nine.
The jail has started reporting its numbers, including staff positives, online.
Nine employees at the jail have tested positive out of 154 tested. 296 total inmates have been tested.
Two more staff members at Woodward Resource Center test positive
An update from the Iowa Department of Human Services said another two staff members at a state-run facility have tested positive for COVID-19.
Both were from the Woodward Resource Center.
To date, 20 staff members across five out of six state-run facilities have tested positive. Here's where they all they all work:
- Woodward Resource Center: 15
- Cherokee Mental Health Institute: 1
- Civil Commitment Unit for Sexual Offenders: 1
- Independence Mental Health Institute: 1
- Eldora Boys State Training School: 1
To watch all of Local 5's coronavirus coverage on YouTube, click here.