Iowa News:
Governor Reynolds has asked President Trump to extend the financial assistance under Title 32 to allow the Iowa National Guard to continue in the fight against COVID-19. The Guard has been assisting medical workers with testing, doing contact tracing, and managing logistics as Iowa’s case numbers have grown. The money, for up to 1,000 soldiers and airmen is set to expire at the end of May. The Governor is asking for an extension until the end of June.
_____
The Iowa Department of Public Health announced another 534 positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the total for the state to 9,703. In the last 12 days, there have been 5,373 new cases, or 55% of total cases for Iowa. There were 4 more deaths for a total of 188. There are 389 Iowans in the hospital, 143 in ICU, and 93 of those are on ventilators.
_____
Test Iowa is setting up a location in Sioux City today for a mass testing event. However, the State of Iowa lab is still finishing tests from the last two weeks. For example, tests from April 25th are likely to be finished today. The equipment and tests from the Utah group are still being validated, which has put the full effort on the workers at the State Lab. The Governor promises that the lab will catch up, and that test results will start to be available in the 72-hour window originally promised.
If you are feeling ill, even if you have received a negative test, you should stay home – or if you have worsened – please seek medical assistance. Call your doctor, or if you are having trouble breathing, seek emergency assistance.
_____
The Woodward Resource Center in Boone County has updated its confirmed cases of COVID-19. There are now 10 total cases, 6 residents and 4 staff members are positive for COVID-19. Woodward is the only Iowa Department of Human Services facility with residents who are ill.
_____
There is a new outbreak at a long-term care center in Iowa. Acura Healthcare in Marshall County is reporting 6 COVID-19 positive residents. That brings the number of long-term care facilities in Iowa with outbreaks to 28.
Local News:
Casey’s General Stores, based in Ankeny, has agreed to a year-long commitment to Feeding America as the impact of COVID-19 is felt throughout its 16-state region. The goal is to help school-age children and their families. Casey’s made an immediate cash donation to support COVID-19 relief to the 52 food banks that reach Casey’s communities. That is in addition to the recent donation of nearly 40,000 pounds of in-kind food products to two Feeding America member food banks. The partnership will also support Feeding America through a future in-store donation campaign, volunteer efforts, and further in-kind food donations.
_____
Did you miss Information Iowa yesterday? Here it is. It is an interview with Polk County Health Department Public Information Officer Nola Aigner-Davis. We talked about the Polk County Emergency Management Agency’s response during the COVID-19 crisis. We talked about what the future might hold, when vaccines might happen, the importance of staying home, and how to help health care workers.
https://soundcloud.com/informationiowa/polk-county-health-department-covid-19
Good News:
DSM Day of Thanks for Frontline Workers: May 6, 2020
From the Greater Des Moines Partnership:
Communities in Greater Des Moines are coming together to host the DSM Day of Thanks on Wednesday, May 6. DSM Day of Thanks is a day-long, community-wide celebration of frontline workers. Community members are encouraged to express their thanks to healthcare and other essential workers while practicing social distancing by:
Doing family coloring activities and chalking sidewalks and driveways with messages of thanks. Posting a thank you message and photo on social media using #DSMstrong. Hanging up the below DSM Day of Thanks signs in the windows of their homes and businesses.
_____
Time to hit the road without ever leaving home. Catch Des Moines, Visit KC, Meet Minneapolis, Experience Sioux Falls, and Visit Omaha have joined forces to promote each other during National Travel and Tourism Week May 3-9. Each city has created its own Virtual Vacation. Through social media promotion, each destination will encourage its local community to click through and enjoy inspirational photography, colorful videos, and digital offerings from the other cities. Take your virtual vacation here. Everything Des Moines is here.
_____
Hy-Vee will give away more than 32,000 bananas to customers at Southridge Mall this Tuesday, May 5, courtesy of Dole Food Company. Hy-Vee is donating one bag containing two bunches of bananas as COVID-19 continues to impact individuals and families across Iowa. The event starts at 4 p.m. and the free fruit will be first-come, first-served.
Bananas will be safely loaded into customer vehicles off of Highway 69/SE 14th Street entrance into the mall parking lot using a contactless method to limit physical contact. All event helpers will be wearing masks and gloves for additional safety measures. No walk-ups will be allowed.
Sports News:
The Summer Iowa Games have started cancellations and postponements due to COVID-19. The following events have been canceled: Air gun, rowing, clay-target trapshooting, figure skating, and lacrosse. Athletes can seem refunds, except 5% for processing.
Bowling finals are now in August. All other events are still scheduled as planned, but that could change.
