For two days in a row, the number of deaths in Iowa due to COVID-19 continues to climb. At a news conference on Thursday morning, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds says 14 people have died. It’s the largest amount since the beginning of the pandemic. A day earlier the state reported a dozen deaths.
There are 302 new positive cases for a total of more than 7,100.
Reynolds says even through parts of the state will open in limited capacity starting tomorrow she say the virus isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
Reynolds says 80% of people infected will have mild or moderate symptoms and won’t need medical help.
The number of positive cases in the Sioux City Metro area climbed to more than 1,600.
On Monday, a TestIowa site will open up in Woodbury County. Members of the Iowa National Guard worked on setting up the location on the campus of Western Iowa Tech Community College.
The Diocese of Sioux City says testing could happen early next week for residents and staff at Holy Spirit Retirement Home after two staff members tested positive for COVID-19.
The coronavirus continues to drive unemployment numbers higher in Iowa.
Last week, almost 29,000 workers filed initial claims for unemployment assistance, more than the week before for a total of 170,000 impacted by the pandemic.
The total benefits paid last week in Iowa topped more than $50 million.
Tyson Fresh Meats will temporarily pause production starting Friday through Monday at its beef plant in Dakota City. The company plans to deep clean the plant.
The 4,300 workers at the plant will still get paid.
Tyson says the Nebraska National Guard is helping test more employees.
Meanwhile, Nebraska health officials say 13 more people have died due to COVID-19 for a total of 68.
South Dakota health officials report four new deaths from COVID-19 and an additional 76 cases. All the deaths came from Minnehaha County, which has had most of the infections in the state. Many have come from an outbreak at a Smithfield pork processing plant that infected 853 employees.
