Governor Kim Reynolds says she wants her team to have a conversation with the Iowa Board of Medicine after it unanimously voted to ask her to issue a formal shelter-in-place order.
Board members are appointed by the governor and oversee physician licensing and regulations.
Reynolds says she hasn’t received the board’s letter yet.
“I am always interested in getting and hearing the feedback of the medical community, but I would like to have them walk through with our team what we’re already doing and what they see or think that maybe we should take a look at outside of the metrics that we’re already using to make the decisions that we’re making.”
The board’s executive director says members believe a formal order is necessary to ensure Iowans are complying with self-isolation recommendations to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The Iowa Medical Society, which represents physicians, is also recommending a formal shelter-in-place order.
The Iowa Department of Public Health announced 85 addition cases of COVID-19 for a state-wide total of 699.
The new cases include five more in Siouxland and the counties of Woodbury, Monona, O’Brien, Sioux and now Plymouth.
Yesterday, the governor announced plans to recess schools until at least April 30th with a mandate all districts come up with an education plan.
This afternoon the Sioux City Community School District says it will provide voluntary continuous learning for students.
Starting next week, teachers will contact students to provide specific, age-appropriate lessons.
Western Iowa Tech Community College will remain closed to the public for the rest of the semester.
That includes all campuses in Sioux City, Cherokee and Denison. Plus, all events are cancelled through May 14th.
Students will continue their coursework online and residence halls will remain open to students who wish to stay on campus with food service provided.
Spring graduation will take place virtually.
Layoffs are expected for the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino after the governor extended the shutdown of casinos through the rest of the month.
The Hard Rock’s vice president of operations says the new move will trigger layoffs starting on April 8th.