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Iowa early News Headlines: Sunday, 8/16/2020

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August 16th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 4:15 a.m. CDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The derecho that caused massive damage in Iowa this past week could offer lessons for forecasters and the public. The unusual storm packed the power of a category 3 hurricane but lacked the days of warning a typical hurricane offers. At least three people in Iowa and one in Indiana were killed. Forecasters had predicted thunderstorms and in some communities tornado sirens sounded before the winds began. But many people were caught off guard. The National Weather Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are working on tools that would assist forecasters in making predictions that consider a range of possibilities.

AMES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa State officials say 75 more students who were moving back to campus have tested positive for COVID-19. The university announced Friday that it tested 3,472 students between Aug. 7 and Thursday. The 75 students who had the virus represents a 2.2% positivity rate. That’s the same positivity rate the school announced last week when 66 positive cases were found among the 3,037 students tested. Students began moving back to campus July 31 and will continue to return through Sunday, with classes beginning Monday. The university has reserved two halls for students to quarantine, or they can quarantine at home if possible.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa is reporting 832 new coronavirus cases for its second-largest single-day increase. KRCG reports that the new cases brought the state’s total number of infections to 51,640 as of 10:30 a.m. Saturday. The state also added nine more deaths to bring the total to 973, according to health officials. The number of infections is believed to be far higher because many people have not been tested, and experts believe people can have the virus without feeling sick. The only other day with more new cases was July 17, when there were 879. Both days had large numbers of tests processed.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say two people have been arrested in Des Moines after fleeing from police in a stolen car and taking refuge in a house with one of their children inside. Des Moines Police Department spokesman Sgt. Paul Parizek said the car was reported stolen 9 a.m. Saturday. The owner later spotted the vehicle, leading to a chase on Interstate 235, The Des Moines Register reports. Police called off the pursuit due to reckless driving. But Parizek said someone spotted the vehicle coming back into the city and followed it until it was abandoned. The two suspects then ran into a nearby home, where the 13-year-old child of one of the suspects wasn’t allowed to leave for about an hour. The two suspects were taken into custody around 12:30 p.m.