20921 News
Iowa reported another 35 COVID-19 deaths and an additional 713 confirmed cases today as the number of counties with a high 14-day positivity rate continued to decrease.
At 10 a.m. today, the state was reporting 5,145 COVID-19-related deaths, according to the state's coronavirus.iowa.gov website. In Woodbury County, there have been 18 new cases added to the total case count in the last 24 hours and no new deaths.
Iowans will no longer be required to wear masks or social distance at crowded gatherings as of Sunday. Republican Gov. Kim issued a proclamation repealing the state's limited mask requirements, social distancing requirements, and gatherings' limits.
Some Democratic lawmakers say they heard Reynolds didn't consult the Iowa Department of Public Health before removing the state's partial mask mandate over the weekend.
The department and Reynolds' office haven't denied it.
In a media briefing yesterday, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky urged states to continue mitigation efforts.
However, masks are still required at all City of Sioux City facilities, and there is a federal mask mandate for all public transportation systems. That includes the Martin Luther King Jr. Ground Transportation Center, all City Transit buses, and Sioux Gateway Airport/Brigadier General Bud Day Field.
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Sioux City also maintains its mask mandate for church services.
And at last night's Sioux City School Board Meeting, Superintendent Dr. Paul Gausman said that Sioux City schools students, teachers, staff members, and visitors will still be required to wear masks inside district buildings and on school buses.
