(Radio Iowa) — The American Red Cross is now testing all blood donations from Iowans for COVID-19 antibodies. Red Cross spokesman Joe Zydlo says the tests will let donors know if they have been exposed to coronavirus, plus, it’s another way to encourage people to donate a pint. Zydlo says, “There continues to be an urgent need for blood donations as our hospital partners resume surgeries and treatments that require blood products.” The F-D-A-authorized tests will run until further notice. Donors are expected to learn the results in seven-to-ten days. Zydlo says Red Cross chapters have received several calls from people who reported coronavirus symptoms but never took a test.

“I think this gives people peace of mind, but it’s also a sort of two-way street,” he says. “Number one, they can help by donating blood right now when we have an urgent need. Blood drives continue to be canceled. Hospitals are doing more procedures and surgeries. They’re going to need more blood. More people are on the roads. There could be more of a chance of trauma situations.” Zydlo says the testing will let donors know if they have the antibodies in their bloodstream.

“If they have those in their plasma and they want to come back in and maybe donate some plasma to help COVID-19 patients recover, or they may not have it. But at least it gives them peace of mind,” he says. If you don’t feel well, postpone donating blood. If you think you might have COVID-19, wait until you’re symptom-free for at least 28 days and feeling well before making a donation.

Zydlo says it’s important to note, the Red Cross is not testing donors to diagnose illness, referred to as a diagnostic test. Also, a positive antibody test results does -not- confirm infection or immunity, but it does indicate potential exposure to the virus.

The Iowa Department of Public Health reports as of 6-a.m. today (Wednesday), the number of Iowans who have tested positive for COVID-19 to-date, is 26,470. Of that total, 6,799 have a pre-existing condition. Authorities say two more people died from the virus since the last report, for a total of 690. Officials say 486 of the persons who have died to-date, had a pre-existing medical condition.

The number of Iowans who have tested negative is 239,751. Of those who had the virus, 16,716 have recovered. A total of 266,592 tests have been completed, while completed assessments number 774,842.

COVID-19 outbreaks at Long-Term Care facilities (LTC’s) is down to 30. Health officials say 892 staff/residents of those facilities have tested positive for the virus, 558 have recovered and 356 have died.

In southwest/western Iowa RMCC Region 4, seven patients are hospitalized (1 more than Tues), two are in an ICU, there were two new admissions, and one person remains on a ventilator. Statewide the numbers continue to decline, with 140 hospitalized, 43 in an ICU, and 25 on ventilators. Seven people were admitted to a hospital over the past 24-hours, for a total at 21 new admissions.

In the immediate KJAN listening area, the only changes in positive COVID-19 cases and the number of persons who have recovered, are as follows:

• Shelby County: 85 cases (an increase of 2 positive cases from Tuesday) 49 recovered (3 more than yesterday)
• Pottawattamie County: 626 cases w/427 recovered.

(Correction issued by Adams County S/O) – A traffic stop on a speeding vehicle a little after 2-a.m. today (Wednesday) in Adams County, resulted in the arrest of a man and a woman on drug charges. The Adams County Sheriff’s Office reports Zendell Gamblin, of Creston, was arrested for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Operating a Vehicle without a valid license. And, Desiree Ladd, of Council Bluffs was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of a Prescription Medication.

Red Oak Police arrested five people over the past 24-hours. At around 1:30 this (Wednesday) morning, 49-year old Noble Gene Conn, of Cleveland, TN., and 50-year old James Keith Saufley, Jr., of Villisca, were arrested following a traffic stop on Highway 34 near Eastern Avenue. Saufley was arrested for Driving While Suspended and was being held on a $566 bond. Conn was arrested on a warrant out of Missouri for Passing Bad Checks/Fugitive from Justice. He was being held in the Montgomery County Jail without bond. Red Oak Police were assisted at the scene by Deputies with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.

At around 6-p.m. Tuesday, Red Oak Police arrested 54-year old Richard Lee Lappegard, Jr., of Red Oak, for Domestic Assault/1st offense, a simple misdemeanor. His bond was set at $300. And, at around 4-p.m. Tuesday, 46-year old James Reed Mitroff II, and 65-year old Patricia Maureen Hawkins, both of Red Oak, were arrested in the 300 block of Broad Street. Mitroff was taken into custody for Violating a Protection Order. Hawkins was arrested for Aiding and abetting the violation of a protection order. Both were being held in the Montgomery County Jail, on $300 bond each.