Siouxland District Health reports one more death in Woodbury County from COVID-19. He was a man between the ages of 61 and 80 and passed away at home. So, far seven have died in the Sioux City metro area from complications of the virus.
Wednesday morning, the Iowa Department of Public Health reported a dozen additions deaths for a total of 219 Iowans.
There were 293 new cases for a total of just over 10,400. There were two dozen new cases in Woodbury County. New numbers from Dakota County aren’t available because of technical difficulties.
After several days without reporting any deaths, five more have died in South Dakota from COVID-19 for a total of 29. State health officials report almost 2,800 confirmed cases. There are still about 800 active cases for a recovery rate of more than 70%.
Nebraska saw four deaths in the state, bringing the state's total since the outbreak to 82.
Sioux City’s two hospitals released statements concerning patient care during the pandemic.
UnityPoint-Health is transferring patients to other facilities to help alleviate pressure on frontline team members.
Meanwhile, MercyOne says is has been planning for eight weeks for the current surge in patients. The hospital is not at capacity and it is not transferring patients. The hospital is getting extra help from outside staff and equipment.
The two medical providers are caring for a total of 95 COVID-19 patients.
The state of Iowa did report one in 50 Iowans have been tested for coronavirus infection.
A Test Iowa site will be available at the campus of Western Iowa Tech through next Friday. People need to pre-register at the website testiowa.com.
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds says she hopes to have all packing plants in the state back in business in a week to 10 days.
"It's a partnership that we provide workers a safe environment and at the same time keep the supply chain open."
Reynolds made her comments this afternoon during a meeting with President Donald Trump.
The state has dealt with outbreaks at several facilities with infection and even the death of employees.
Tyson in Dakota City plans to reopen on Thursday morning after deep cleaning the plant and testing all workers.
Sioux City State Senator Jackie Smith is calling for an independent task force to oversee cleaning and testing at the plant. Smith says the plant should have done something after hundreds of workers at Tyson plants in Waterloo and Sioux Falls tested positive for COVID-19.
“And right then and there, they had an opportunity to provide everyone with PPE, social distancing. Now, of course, they would have to slow their production down, because as you know, the food comes out pretty fast, and they stand shoulder-to-shoulder. "
The Sioux City Farmers market opened Wednesday despite the growing number of COVID-19 cases.
An estimated 300 people came in, quickly shopped and left.
Farmers market staff say they put safety protocols in place like spacing vendors farther apart and placing hand sanitizer stations throughout the market. They also highly recommend that shoppers wear masks.