Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds says the State Hygienic Lab now has the capacity of conducting 620 tests. The announcement comes as public health officials announced one new case of coronavirus in the state, bringing the total positive cases here to 45.
There has been a shortage of tests nationwide.
Reynolds says the state is working with private companies to try and come up with solutions for shortages in medical supplies. Reynolds admits she doesn’t know the number of ventilators available in the state but the state is working on the problem.
Gov. Kim Reynolds today also suspended fees related to property taxes and stopped most home evictions to help Iowans impacted by the coronavirus.
Also today, an official with Iowa Workforce Development says it’s staggering to see the number of unemployment claims coming in this week. Each day they see the amount of people who would usually file in a busy month.
This afternoon, Sioux City Superintendent Paul Gausman sent out an update to parents of students in the school district. He says there is a possibility the closure of schools will continue past Tuesday, April 14th. If school starts on that day, the last day of school will still be June 2nd.
This morning, the Board of Education voted to provide pay for all hourly staff through April 25th if needed. That move could be extended by the Board. Also, free meals are available to children ages 1 to 18 at 20 different locations in Sioux City.
Gausman also says high school students enrolled in college courses this semester must continue to fulfill course requirements during school closures.
