The coronavirus continues to cause infections in the Siouxland area. Four more deaths due to complications of COVID-19 have been reported by the Dakota County Health Department. There are now a total of 11 casualties and 26 people who have died in both Dakota and Woodbury Counties. Dakota County added 37 new positive cases and Woodbury County saw 35 more, for a total of more than 3,600 for both areas.
Iowa health officials reported a dozen more deaths due to COVID-19, bringing the state total to 318.
On Thursday, Governor Kim Reynolds says the State Hygienic Lab has validated tests provided through the Test Iowa program.
Concerns had been raised after reports from the state of Utah showed the system wasn’t providing accurate testing.
“For those Iowans who reached out to tell us that have fallen short of meeting their expectations we hear you. Now, that the lab has finished the validation process your tests will be delivered in a more timely basis.”
The state of Iowa paid $26 million dollars to Nomi (know-me) Health in Utah for 500,00 tests and an online assessment. Reynolds says the CARES Act paid for Reynolds says since launching Test Iowa more than three weeks ago, more than 400,000 Iowans have done the assessment. More than 4,300 people have been tested. The Governor had said Test Iowa could provide an additional 3,000 tests per day.
There are now eight drive-thru test sites across the state including one at Western Iowa Tech in Sioux City and in Denison. Another is scheduled to open Saturday in Storm Lake.
The Governor’s Office hasn’t responded to requests by Siouxland Public Media for a count of tests conducted in Sioux City.
