The Iowa Department of Public Health today (Saturday) reports 242 new positive COVID-19 tests and one additional death. The health department reported 399,316 total positive tests, and 5,998 total deaths since the pandemic began. State data show more than 2.56-million vaccinations have been given in Iowa, and nearly 1.24-million vaccination series are completed.

Iowa’s COVID-19 positivity rates continue to mostly decline. In the last 24 hours, the 14-day average dropped from 3.4% to 3.3% and the 7-day average dropped from 3.0% to 2.9%. COVID-19 hospitalizations are down, from 151 on Friday to 147 on Saturday. There are 42 patients in ICU, 23 were admitted, and 19 patients are on ventilators. In RMCC Region 4 (hospitals in western & southwest Iowa), there are: Six patients hospitalized with COVID or symptoms of the virus; three people with COVID are in an ICU; No new admissions to area hospitals were reported, and no one was on a ventilator in the latest report.

There remains a single long-term care facility with a COVID-19 outbreak. The Risen Son Christian Village, in Pottawattamie County, reports 10 positive cases among residents and staff. There have been 2,335 deaths reported in Iowa’s care facilities.

In the KJAN listening area, here are the current number positive cases by County; The # of new cases since yesterday {+} if any; and the total number of deaths in each county to date:
Cass, 1,468 cases; {+0}; 54 deaths
Adair, 985; {+0}; 32
Adams, 349 {+0}; 4
Audubon, 529 {+0}; 10
Guthrie, 1,300 {+2}; 30
Harrison County, 1,933; {+3}; 73
Madison County, 1,764; {+0; 19
Mills County, 1,792; {+0}; 22
Montgomery, 1,109;{+0}; 38
Pottawattamie County, 12,241; {+5}; 168
Shelby County, 1,369 {+0}; 37
Union County, 1,364; {+0}; 33

Linn County Attorney Jerry Vander Sanden, on May 12th, released the results of an investigation into a fatal, officer-involved shooting incident that occurred on Feb. 20th. Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation has said earlier, that Kyzer Moore was the officer who shot 39-year-old Arnell States, of Cedar Rapids, as States ran from a hotel where two women had been attacked. Police say States was believed to have been the attacker who killed 34-year-old Katrina Latrese Brinson and injured another woman.

Vander Sanden concluded that based on information obtained during the DCI’s investigation, Officer Moore was legally justified in using deadly force against Arnell States, and that such force was necessary to avoid injury or risk to the Officer’s live or safety. He said also, the evidence shows States was armed with a knife and had ignored clear and repeated directives to drop his weapon. He was shot when he raised the knife in a threatening manner.

No criminal charges will be filed against Officer Moore. The shooting was classified as a”Justifiable Homicide.” Moore is a 3 1/2-year veteran of the Cedar Rapids Police Department. He was on paid administrative leave pending the results of the shooting investigation.

Officials with the Audubon Community School District, Friday, said “Starting immediately – mask usage is a personal choice for all students, staff, and community members at all school events and during the school day. Students exposed to a positive case of COVID 19 will no longer be required to quarantine. Only the positive individual will be required to quarantine.

Superintendent Eric Trager said “Because of this guidance, we will no longer be encouraging mask usage at school. We will, however, continue to fully support all staff, students, and community members who choose to continue the use of face coverings. We want school to be a safe and supportive place for all people.