The Iowa Department of Public Health once again reported no additional deaths due to complications of COVID-19. 6,035 have died during the pandemic. There are about 170 new cases, with six more in Woodbury County.
As demand for the COVID-19 vaccine continues to drop, Iowa health officials say they’ve accepted just 12 percent of its vaccine allocation from the federal government this week. That’s just under 8 thousand doses.
17 of the state’s 99 counties accepted part of their allocation. Just one – took them all.
According to the New York Times, 43 percent of Iowa’s total population is fully vaccinated. Ranking it 16th in the nation.
The Sioux City Community School District sent out updated guidelines for graduation on Saturday at the Tyson Events Center. The school district is following the bill signed into last last week that banned school districts from issuing mask mandates. The district also removed the limit on guests for the ceremonies for all three Sioux City High Schools. A news release says the district does plan to support all who choose to continue to wear masks or face coverings. A live-stream will also be available.
A trade group for pork producers is asking the U.S. Department of Agriculture to appeal a recent federal judge's order that struck down a federal rule allowing pork processing plants to speed up processing.
The National Pork Producers Council says the order to return to slower processing line speeds will cost farmers $80 million in reduced income. Meatpacking worker unions challenged the faster speeds, saying they put workers' health and safety at risk. The pork producers group is asking the USDA to appeal the ruling and seek a stay so six plants now operating at faster speeds.
