Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds held her daily press briefing today earlier than normal, and will continue to do so each weekday at 11-a.m. During her update this morning, she said “Iowa’s fight against COVID-19 is real…and the last week has been especially hard.” (To listen, click on the left side of an audio bar below)

The Governor said since Sunday’s report, there have been 78 new positive case, four new counties for a total of 946 people who have tested positivee in 75 counties. 680 have tested negative, for a total of 10,653. There are 99 people who remain hospitalized, 284 who are recovering at home, and three new deaths from COVID-19.

(The death toll is now 25 in Iowa)

She says the coming week be equally, if not more difficult, especially among older adults above 60, and those with chronic diseases. 10% of the positive cases are among residents and staff of long-term care facilities. 48% of deaths are residents of those same facilities.

The Governor also issued new restrictions aimed at mitigating the spread of the virus, on certain businesses through April 30^th.

All limitations on social gatherings, she said, will also be enforced. Department of Public Safety Commissioner Stephan K. Baynes said the Governor will be issuing guidance to local law enforcement across the state on their role in how to enforce the various declarations of the disaster emergency.

Baynes said “Law enforcement will take reasoned and measured steps if we are forced to do so.

He said also, “Should personal responsibility fail, law enforcement will always seek first to educate the public on the law and the need for it.”

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Police have identified a woman who investigators believe was intentionally run down by a driver and killed as she walked her dog in Des Moines neighborhood. Police say 38-year-old Lauren Rice and her dog, Holiday, were killed in the Sunday morning incident. Officers found Rice and the dog dead at the scene.

Police say a pickup truck driven by 49-year-old Jason Robert Sassman jumped a curb, crashed through a utility pole and drove through several yards before hitting Rice and the dog. Police say Sassman continued on in the truck until it became disabled, then fled on foot before he was arrested. He’s charged with first-degree murder and animal neglect.

Atlantic, IA — Atlantic Medical Center, RHC (AMC) offers walk-in care six days a week, appointments five days a week, and now offers telehealth appointments for patients via smart phone, tablet, or home computer. CCHS Chief Administrator Tammy Bireline said today (Monday), “We are committed to making sure our community has access to healthcare when they need it. We’re thrilled to offer telehealth appointments in addition to our walk-in care and traditional appointments. Yes, we’re in the midst of a pandemic, but for most people, we still have routine medical needs, many of which can’t wait. Telehealth is the perfect bridge between getting the health care you need and being able to stay at home.”

Over the past week, multiple AMC providers have piloted telehealth appointments with patients. Dr. Elaine Berry says “The providers and patients are very happy with the way that telehealth visits have gone so far. The actual process is amazingly easy to use.”  All providers at Atlantic Medical Center, RHC or its satellite locations, can see patients via telehealth. While telehealth isn’t the right choice for all appointments, it is a great option for patients who are due for follow-up care, patients who have chronic health issues, patients who need prescription refills, or very minor acute issues such as rashes, pink eye, small wounds, etc.

According to Bireline, “Patients can call and ask to schedule a telehealth appointment, or some providers may recommend it.”  Patients will need to use a smart phone, tablet, or computer that has a camera, microphone, and speakers. If patients have a home blood pressure machine or oximeter, they should have those close at hand in case they are needed during the telehealth appointment. When the appointment is scheduled, admissions staff will verify either a mobile phone number or an email address for the patient. The patient will then receive either text or email instructions.

Most insurance companies will pay for telehealth visits in the same manner that they pay for a regular office visit, and your usual copayments or coinsurance will apply. For prenatal appointments and well child visits, the Anita and Griswold Medical Centers are designated well-care clinics staffed by Dr. Angela Weppler and Jessica Jackson, ARNP. Tammy Birleine said also, “These clinics continue to go well, and it’s a great way to make sure kids are staying on track with their check-ups and immunizations. While school is out, this is also a good time to use the well-care clinics to get kindergarten physicals done.”

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A beloved teacher and coach at a Catholic school in Iowa City has died of the coronavirus.Regina High School announced Saturday the death of longtime physical education teacher John DeMarco, 73. Alumni say DeMarco, of Coralville, tested positive for the virus and received treatment at two hospitals in Iowa City before his death.

The Iowa Department of Public Health announced Sunday that an “older adult” between 61 and 80 was Johnson County’s first death tied to the pandemic.Students and alumni at Regina say that was DeMarco, who was known as “Coach D” and had been a fixture there since his arrival in 1981

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds’ daily press conferences on the COVID-19 pandemic will now be held at 11:00 a.m. each day. The new time will more closely match up with the most recent information released on numbers from health officials.

Below is the YouTube feed that will provide the press conference live at 11:00 a.m. We also will bring you live audio of the presser on KJAN.

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office reports three arrests. At around 3:50 this (Monday) morning, 43-year old Joshua David Johnson, of Council Bluffs, was arrested at the Pott. County Jail, on a warrant for Domestic Abuse Assault/1st offense. A little after 2-a.m. Sunday, 61-year old Joseph Michael Shanks was arrested after he was seen walking and pushing a bicycle, in the area of McPherson Avenue and Valley View Drive, in Council Bluffs. Shanks was subsequently arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance (PCS)/Methamphetamine – 1st offense.

A 16-year old male was arrested late Friday night in the Crescent area. Officials say the unidentified teen was taken into custody after a deputy conducted a traffic stop/check on a suspicious vehicle parked in the middle of 152nd Street. The teen was charged with PCS/Marijuana – 1st offense. In other news, the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office reports 18-year old Christopher D. Reed, Jr., was transported from a jail in Nebraska to the Pott. County Jail, where Reed was wanted on a warrant for Robbery in the 2nd Degree/forcible felony threat.