(Radio Iowa) — A new report projects Iowa hospitals could lose one-point-four billion dollars between March and September due to COVID-19. The report found 90-percent of the state’s hospitals operated in the red during March and April, largely due to not being able to perform non-essential procedures. Marty Guthmiller, C-E-O of the Orange City Area Health System, says even with millions in state and federal support, some rural hospitals will close.

Guthmiller says, “While it’s difficult to predict, it’s relatively certain that we will lose some hospitals in Iowa simply because they do not have the capacity to withstand a downturn in revenue.” Guthmiller says the CARES Act funding his rural hospital has received so far has only covered operating expenses for 36 days. While much of the financial impact is tied to revenue lost when the state halted non-elective procedures, there are other expenses.

UnityPoint Des Moines C-E-O David Stark says his hospitals are still losing a lot of money due to COVID-19 from doing things like staffing entrances to screen for the virus. “We’re staffing every one of our facilities 24 hours a day and taking temperatures and asking screening questions,” Stark says. “For our organization alone, that’s a $2 million expense that we certainly didn’t plan on.” Stark says his hospital is losing revenue as it continues to limit procedures and set aside beds for COVID-19 patients.

The report was done by a Minneapolis accounting firm and was commissioned by the Iowa Hospital Association.

(reporting by Natalie Krebs, Iowa Public Radio)

Officials in Mills County report that in their regular meeting on Thursday, June 4th,the Mills County Board of Supervisors adopted procedures for a phased reopening of County offices beginning June 8, 2020, at 8:00 a.m. In making their decision, officials noted the safety of County employees and residents is their overriding priority.

As the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) outbreak continues to have substantial community spread, the Mills County Board of Supervisors are monitoring the situation closely and will periodically update guidance based on current recommendations from Mills County Emergency Management, Mills County Public Health department, the Iowa Department of Public Health, and the Center for Disease Control.

To reduce the potential risk of exposure to the workforce and visitors, the Board has instituted new screening procedures, with the goal of returning to business as usual in the coming months. The information below identifies procedures which are subject to change at any time.

During the initial phase of reopening:
1. County offices will remain open by appointment only.
2. Visitors must first fill out a screening questionnaire found on our website at https://www.cognitoforms.com/MillsCounty1/MillsCountyCoronavirusCOVID19VisitorQuestionnaire (paper copies are also available at the north entrance of the courthouse).
3. Call upon arrival to let the office know you are in the parking lot. You will be contacted when it is your turn to come in.
4. Temperatures will be taken prior to entry into county buildings.
5. Visitors must wear masks at all times after entering.
6. Sanitizer will be offered upon entry.
7. Visitors will be escorted directly to the office with which they are doing business and escorted out when business is completed.
8. County employees will wear masks while serving the public.

Any person with COVID-19 symptoms should refrain from entering a public building. At this time, self-monitoring is required by the public and employees. Stay home if you are ill. Social distancing measures such as increasing the space between workers and the public and decreasing social contacts in the workplace are still in place. Hand shaking is prohibited. Everyone should wash hands thoroughly before entering county facilities and throughout the day. Hand sanitizers will be available at the entrance of the courthouse and in all offices. Office/workspace areas will be cleaned at least daily. Individuals should consider contacting county offices/departments or conducting business online if possible before visiting any facility.

The Mills County Board of Supervisors will revisit these procedures and will provide guidance for the next phase of reopening county offices as the circumstances permit. These procedures do not affect the emergency protocol put in place by State Court Administration. Any court related questions should be directed to the Mills County Clerk of Court at (712) 527-4880.

Visit www.millscoia.us for updated information and specific duties of offices/department. Officials said also that you are “ADVISED THAT THESE PRECAUTIONS ARE IN PLACE TO HELP REDUCE THE SPREAD OF COVID-19 AND MEANT TO KEEP EVERYONE SAFE. HOWEVER, THESE MEASURES MAY NOT ELIMINATE THE POSSIBILITY OF CONTRACTING OR SPREADING THE VIRUS. ENTERING ANY PUBLIC PLACE MAY STILL POSE A RISK TO YOUR HEALTH AND YOU SHOULD ACT ACCORDINGLY.

A crash in Fremont County involving a motorcycle, Thursday morning, has claimed the life of a Nebraska man. The Iowa State Patrol reports a 2012 Volvo semi driven by 38-year old Margie Carola Castro, of Houston, TX., was eastbound on Highway 2 in the left lane, and preparing to turn left onto the northbound I-29 on-ramp, when Castro failed to yield to a westbound 2006 Harley Davidson motorcycle.

The cycle, operated by 38-year old Andrew Charles Boardman, of Nehawka, NE., ran into the right side of the semi within the intersection of Highway 2 and the I-29 northbound on-ramp. The accident happened at around 6:50-a.m.  Boardman died at the scene.

Adair County Auditor and Commissioner of Elections Mandy Berg reports that on Tuesday, June 9th, the Adair County ASVP Board will meet at 9:30 a.m. at the Adair County Courthouse in Greenfield, to conduct the post-election audit of the voting system used in the June 2, 2020 Primary Election.

The audit is required under the Code of Iowa, and is open to the public.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Democrats and black leaders are calling for urgent action by state lawmakers to end racial injustice and have proposed several bills during the shortened legislative session. One bill would make it illegal for police in Iowa to use a chokehold or neck restraint unless a person poses an imminent threat.

Another would make it illegal for Iowa police departments to hire officers who were fired or resigned while being investigated for serious misconduct or excessive force. Gov. Kim Reynolds and House Speaker Pat Grassley, both Republicans, wouldn’t commit to the ideas but said they’re willing to talk.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Polk County officials have rescinded a curfew after experiencing several nights of peaceful protests in the Des Moines area. The Polk County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Thursday to end the curfew, which took effect Sunday. The 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew was imposed at the request of Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie and Gov. Kim Reynolds after earlier protests in Des Moines started peacefully but then resulted in vandalism after nightfall.

The protests began after the May 25 death of George Floyd, a black man in Minneapolis. He died after being arrested by police, including a white officer who pressed his knee on Floyd’s neck.

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — A Waterloo hospital is seeing a baby boom. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports UnityPoint Health-Allen Hospital reported delivering 142 babies in May, smashing the hospital’s old record of 121 babies set in September 2017. The record is especially surprising because the spring isn’t usually a busy times for babies at the hospital. Last year, 86 births were recorded in May. The births came as the hospital already was dealing with coronavirus cases and precautions that put extra stress on staff.