Iowa public health officials say coronavirus cases have increased by 52, raising the total statewide to 549.
Two more deaths were reported Wednesday. They were both over age 81.
The virus is now present in 60 of Iowa's 99 counties including O’Brien County in northwest Iowa. The person who tested positive is a woman between the age of 41 to 60 and is self-isolating at home.
State health officials say 63 people are currently hospitalized.
South Dakota health officials report one more person has died after contracting the coronavirus and 21 more people have tested positive.
Health officials report 129 people have tested positive in the state and 51 have recovered. Two have died.
In Nebraska, COVID-19 has claimed the lives of four people. The total number of confirmed cases rose to 177 with 3,000 negative tests.
The City of Sioux City is taking more action to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Effective today, Sioux City has closed all public playgrounds, tennis and basketball courts, skate and dog parks, restrooms, shelters and the lodge at Cone Park.
However, all parks and bike trails will remain open for people to walk their dogs, jog or bike.
Mayor Bob Scott says it’s important for everyone to get fresh air but he is asking people to use good judgement and to practice social distancing by staying at least 6 feet from others.
Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate says the state will mail an absentee ballot request form to every active registered voter in the state for voting in the June 2 primary.
Pate last week announced he was using emergency authority to add 11 more days to the early voting period for the June primary and he encouraged Iowans to use the vote-by-mail option to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Pate’s office will send the absentee ballot request forms later this month and each will include prepaid postage for mailing the requests to county auditors.
A new survey suggests the COVID-19 pandemic is draining vigor from the economy of Midwest states including the tri-state area.
The Mid-American Business Conditions index sank in March to 46.7 — its lowest reading since September 2016.
The survey's confidence index plunged to a record low of 14.5.
The survey results are compiled into a collection of indexes ranging from zero to 100.
Survey organizers say any score above 50 suggests growth.
A score below that suggests decline.