JOHNSTON, Iowa — Iowa COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and test positivity continue to trend downward as the Christmas holiday approaches.
Tuesday morning, Gov. Kim Reynolds noted the statewide average 14-day positivity rate was 12.6%, with just 32 counties reporting their own 14-day positivity rate above 15%.
"Hospitalizations continue to trend down and are approaching pre-November levels, and 81% of all Iowans who have had the virus are now recovered," Reynolds said.
Reynolds also said long-term care data also showed improvement over the last few weeks. As of Tuesday morning, 133 facilities are experiencing an outbreak.
The highest number of outbreaks reported at long-term care facilities was 167 on Dec. 3.
More than 8,400 health care workers in Iowa have been vaccinated as of Monday and all doses that were allocated for last week's shipment were received as scheduled, according to Reynolds.
Last week the state was slated to administer 26,000 vaccines. Reynolds said the discrepancy comes from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) reallocating vaccines.
"There's also good news coming from Washington D.C., where Congress finally passed a new $900 billion relief package to support American families and businesses, which now awaits the President's signature," Reynolds said.
Reynolds said the bill extends the deadline for states to use their coronavirus relief fund allocation through the CARES Act by one year.
"This will allow us to put Iowa's remaining balance of about $47 million to work in programs that will continue to make a positive difference for Iowans," Reynolds said.
Some Iowa Republicans have indicated a willingness to use some of the state's surplus on pandemic relief, but Reynolds said she'll have to look at federal funding before making a decision.
"I think, you know, we need to be responsible about seeing how we can allocate those funds, where the gaps and the barriers are at, and then see if we need to do something moving forward," Reynolds said.
"But we'll continue to review it, we'll continue to look at where the needs are at and we'll adjust accordingly," Reynolds said.
The governor noted that Iowa's fiscal health is good when you consider the year that the state has been through.
"Whether it's COVID-19 or it's a drought or it's the derecho that hit a large majority of our state. We are not through COVID-19 and so we have to monitor it very carefully and continue to see what the impact is to the revenues to the state. So, we need to be mindful of that as well and if we deplete the cash reserves, we have to be mindful about how we replenish them," Reynolds said.
In addition to this good news, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also approved the Moderna vaccine for emergency use last Friday, with more shipments arriving at Iowa hospitals Tuesday.
"The addition of the second vaccine will increase the number of doses that are immediately available for the first phase of vaccinations and will keep us moving forward," Reynolds said.
Rural communities will get the Moderna vaccine instead of Pfizer because it doesn't require storage in ultra-cold freezers. It also comes in smaller shipments, which is perfect for communities with smaller populations.
With Christmas just a few days away, Reynolds took a moment to thank Iowans for the declining numbers in cases.
"On the evening of Nov. 16, just ahead of Thanksgiving holiday, our COVID-19 cases were at record highs and our hospitals were being pushed to their capacity," Reynolds said.
"I asked Iowans to be a part of the solution to reverse the course of the virus, and you stepped up. Many families adjusted their Thanksgiving plans: smaller gatherings reduced our risk of spreading the virus. And it worked," Reynolds said.
Reynolds noted that while other states did see a spike in cases following the holiday, Iowa did not.
"In fact, since Thanksgiving, our numbers have continued to decline. We've made good progress in getting the virus to a more manageable level. We've proven that adjusting our behaviors to align with public health guidance makes a difference, and is more than worth the effort," Reynolds said.
Still, the threat of the virus continues. Reynolds, again, called on Iowans to continue practicing mitigation efforts as they wait for their own vaccination.
"So, as you gather with loved ones in the coming days, please celebrate responsibly. Be mindful of the people that you're with and do your part so everyone has a happy and healthy holiday," Reynolds said.
"Like so many of you, I'm eager to turn the calendar ahead and move beyond the challenges that we've endured this past year. 2021 brings with it a renewed sense of hope and optimism. Despite the uncertainty of the last year, one thing has always remained constant: the willingness of Iowans to come together and work toward a common goal," Reynolds said.