CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — An on-duty Linn County sheriff’s deputy working at the Linn County Correctional Center has tested positive for the new coronavirus. The sheriff’s office said in a news release Monday that the deputy showed up for work at the center on Thursday evening symptom-free, but left work near the end of his shift when he began displaying symptoms, including a high fever, and was tested.

He is to remain in self-isolation until he meets guidelines for returning to work. The sheriff’s office says the deputy did not expose any inmates to the virus, but that 11 coworkers were exposed. The sheriff’s office says those coworkers will continue to report for duty as long as they remain asymptomatic.

The Montgomery County Auditor’s Office reports the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors authorized the installation of a new drop box, as another way residents can interact with the Montgomery County Courthouse operations. The drop box is located curbside on the south entrance of the courthouse on Coolbaugh Street.

The drop box is weatherproof, tamper-resistant and is located in a monitored area for security. Auditor Stephanie Burke asks those who have business with the County, to “Please put everything in a secure envelope and address it to the desired county office along with your contact information on the outside of the envelope. No postage is necessary, and the box will be checked every day by authorized personnel.”

The drop box can be used for the following: Treasurer’s Office-MV registrations and property tax payments; Auditor’s Office – absentee ballots and absentee ballot request forms; Recorder’s Office – Real estate documents, certified copy requests and boat & off-road vehicle registrations; Assessor’s Office – real estate credit applications and protest forms; Clerk of Court’s Office – child support, alimony, payments on fines and any documents that are requested to be filed; Veteran’s Affairs Office – forms such as DD form 214 and NGB form 22.

(Radio Iowa) — More than one-hundred Iowa prison inmates have been tested for coronavirus so far and one has tested positive. Three state prison staff members have also tested positive. Iowa Department of Corrections director Beth Skinner is issuing a request to the administrators of Iowa’s 99 county jails:

Skinner says prison officials are working to reduce Iowa’s inmate population which, a month ago, was 22-percent over capacity. Since then, 811 inmates were released, but another 748 were taken in. She’s asking the State Board of Parole to release those who would likely succeed in a community setting.

A traffic stop Sunday in Shambaugh resulted in a man being arrested on drug charges. The Page County Sheriff’s Office reports during the stop, 50-year old Steven William Wells, of College Springs, was arrested for Driving while License is barred. The Clarinda Police Department K-9 “Rakio” was called to the scene and deployed for a free air sniff. Rakio indicated the presence of a controlled substance in the vehicle, a 1997 Saturn registered to Cassandra Hauge of Glenwood.

Steven William Wells

A subsequent search of the vehicle indicated Marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Wells was subsequently charged with Possession of a controlled substance (Marijuana) 3rd or subsequent offense, and Possession of drug paraphernalia. He was transported to the Page County Jail and later posted a $4,300 bond before being released pending future court appearances.

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds today (Monday), updated the latest COVID-19 data from across the State. Over the past 24-hours, there were:

• 257 NEW, positive COVID-19 cases, for a total of 3,159.
• Zero new counties added to the list of counties with COVID-19, for a total of 82.
• There were 1,013 COVID-19 Negative cases, for a total of 22,661.
• The State Hygienic Lab has 7,556 tests available.
• 1,235 people have recovered, for a recovery rate of 39%.
• Four people have died over the past 24-hours, for a total of 79. 48% of all COVID-19 deaths are connected to Long Term Care Facilities.

The Governor gave an update also on the activities for the State’s six RMCC (Regional Medical Coordination Center) Regions. Reynolds said there 214 COVID-19 patients hospitalized; 23 were admitted over the past 24 hours; 91 were being treated in ICU’s; 58 patients are on ventilators.There are 4,402 In-patient COVID-19 patient beds available, 552 ICU beds available, and 691 ventilators available for COVID-19 patients.

The Governor said there were two new outbreaks over the weekend. One was at the Bishop Drumm Long Term Care Center in Polk County. That brings the total number of LTC outbreaks to 10. The other was at Iowa Premium Beef in Tama County. She said “We will continue to see clusters of outbreaks in these types of facilities because COVID-19 spreads quickly and easily among people in close proximity. Once the virus is introduced into this type of environment, it’s very difficult to contain.” She said these types of businesses are essential, and the State is doing everything possible to keep them open in a “Safe and responsible way.”

Reynolds said across all of the RMCC (Regional Medical Coordination Center) Regions, today, there 214 COVID-19 patients hospitalized; 23 were admitted over the past 24 hours; 91 were being treated in ICU’s; 58 patients are on ventilators. There are 4,402 In-patient COVID-19 patient beds available, 552 ICU beds available, and 691 ventilators available for COVID-19 patients.

(Radio Iowa) — A Buchanan County Sheriff’s deputy was badly hurt in a crash during a weekend pursuit. The Iowa State Patrol says 23-year-old Deputy Dan Walter of Independence is in serious condition at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City. The State Patrol says authorities became involved in a pursuit with a Manchester man. Twenty-nine-year old Kevin Krapfl allegedly struck a pedestrian in Oelwein around 2:30 pm Saturday. Krapfl left the scene, with a conservation officer spotting him about four miles east of Oelwein heading east on 50th Street near the intersection of L Avenue in Fayette County.

The officer tried stopping Krapfl’s Avalanche, but he did not stop and a pursuit ensued. The pursuit continued through Fayette and Buchanan counties. Krapfl’s vehicle collided with Deputy Walter’s patrol vehicle at the intersection of Buchanan-Delaware Road and 150th Street. After the collision, Krapfl tried fleeing the scene on foot, but was quickly apprehended by the conservation officer who had been pursuing him. The Sheriff’s Office says Deputy Walter is awake and alert, but remains in serious condition. The crash is under investigation by the Iowa State Patrol. Charges are pending.