Governor Kim Reynolds today (Monday) said the State of Iowa has had 349 new COVID-19 positive test results returned from the State Hygienic and other labs over the past 24-hours, for a total of 5,868. There were also 1,668 COVID-19 Negative test resulted returned, for a total of 32,282. She said 2,061 Iowans have been tested, for a total of 38,150 (or 1 out of every 82 people per capita). Reynold said 2,021 Iowans have recovered from COVID-19, for a recovery rate of 34%. There have also been nine new deaths resulting from COVID-19, for a total of 127. The deaths included eight with pre-existing medical conditions. Three older adults and six elderly adults have died.

According to IDPH the additional 9 deaths were reported in the following counties:

• Black Hawk County, 2 older adults (61-80 years)
• Bremer County, 1 elderly adult (81+)
• Dubuque County, 1 older adult (61-80 years)
• Polk County, 3 elderly adults (81+)
• Poweshiek County, 1 elderly adult (81+)
• Washington County,  1 elderly adult (81+)

NOTE:  Yesterday’s new case numbers reported a small number of serology test results along with diagnostic test results. The positive serology test results have been removed and today’s new case numbers are updated to reflect this change.

Some good news came from the Governor with regard to lifting some of the restrictions on businesses and social gatherings. Reynolds said some businesses will be allowed to re-open on a limited basis effective May 1st. Restaurants, Fitness Centers and retails stores previously closed may re-open May 1st at 50% normal operating capacity.  Enclosed malls may re-open at 50% capacity, but play areas and common seating areas, including food court dining, must remain closed. Restaurants in food courts may operate on a carry-out basis.” (The full proclamation is online in its entirety here: Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3.)

She said also, “Social, community, recreational and leisure and sporting events will continue to be limited to 10 people. Limits on spiritual and religious gathering are being lifted. All businesses and churches approved for re-opening must also adhere to distancing, hygiene, public health measure and business guidelines from the Department of Public Health, to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19. All other existing closures will be extended through May 15th.

Reynolds said 77 counties have experienced a downward trend in virus activity over the last two weeks.

(Radio Iowa) — Handshakes and public gatherings are not an option for politicians in the age of Covid-19 — so the candidates campaigning for support in Iowa’s June 2nd primaries are trying to make digital connections. J.D. Scholten is the only Democrat running for congress in Iowa’s 4th congressional district. “We’re having to adapt like everybody else and so campaigning means doing interviews and townhalls online,” Scholten said recently during a Facebook live event.

Southwest Iowa Democrats organized an online forum Sunday afternoon with all five of the Democrats who are running for the U.S. Senate. Joey Norris, chairman of Montgomery County Democrats, nudged the crowd watching online.  “All right,” Norris said. “Everybody give a nice, silent, virtual hand clap.” On Sunday evening, the five Republicans running in Iowa’s fourth congressional district participated in a virtual forum hosted by Crawford County Republicans.

Gwen Ecklund of the Crawford County Republican Women says plans for the event were changed because of the pandemic. “So tonight’s panel are all safely participating in their homes or offices, communicating via Zoom,” Ecklund said. The event was broadcast live on K-D-S-N radio and about 120 people watched it live online.

A large fire and explosion has occurred at gas station at the end of Main Street in Earling.  Video and pictures from the scene show a pickup truck on fire, and a building completely obliterated. Two people were sent to the hospital. Authorities are asking you to “Please avoid this area as crews are still actively working.” (Update 9:53-a.m.)

(Video courtesy Emily Mahlberg via KNOD)

(Video courtesy Jason Anastasi via KNOD)

Shelby County Sheriff’s Office photo

Photos courtesy of Heather Richards via KNOD.

(KJAN/Radio Iowa) — With Iowa’s K-through-12 public schools sealed off through the end of the school year by the pandemic, an effort is gaining momentum to show support for graduating seniors through social media. In our area, Adopt A 2020 Highschool SW IA Senior formed on Facebook April 19^th, with the goal of having people “Adopt” a High School Senior or 2, then sending them a letter, card, gift, gift card, snack, anything they might like, “to let them know we’re all rooting for them, in light of cancelled proms and graduations being postponed. Over 4,000 members have helped to brighten the lives of countless High School Seniors, thus far.

An example of an “Adopt a High School Senior” gift lack assembled for a S.W. IA High School grad.

In northern Iowa, Sarah Olthoff of Webster City helped organize a Facebook page called “Adopt A Grad in Hamilton County,” and many other communities are launching similar pages. Olthoff says, “Families, parents and friends of grads post pictures and a brief description about their grad, why they’re proud, some of their accomplishments, just a little about them so we can all get to know them, and maybe their future plans.” Iowans can show their recognition for the students by requesting to become a part of the private online community.  “The rest of us join in by joining the group and seeing these grads and choosing to ‘adopt’ one by sending a card, doing something that you know would recognize them and know that they’re celebrated,” Olthoff says, “despite the fact that we aren’t able to come together like we traditionally do with commencements and the normal types of receptions.”

Olthoff hopes people will use these groups as a way to inspire each other with their creative ideas for honoring these soon-to-be high school grads. “If you know of something already being done to celebrate, share it on that group page,” Olthoff says. “If there’s some campaign out there or something people are promoting to do, maybe that’s something you can do for a senior that you adopt. It’s just a way of coming together during this really unusual, different time and making a difference for these kids.”

Olthoff says there’s a positive response to the project in Hamilton County and she hopes communities across Iowa can create their own ways to recognize the young grads.

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds’ daily press conference on COVID-19. We plan on having live audio of the presser on KJAN as well at approximately 11:00 a.m.