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Gov. Reynolds discusses Iowa's COVID-19 cases Share Shares Copy Link Copy

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thank you here. Okay, Good afternoon. I think we'll go ahead and get started. And I think I'll state the obvious again. This is an unprecedented time for our state and our nation. Within the course of one week, we've learned of the first positive cases of Cove it 19 and Iowans identified community spread implemented mitigation strategies, including school closures, to protect the health and safety of all Iowans. We're monitoring the situation in real time and making evidence based decisions to mitigate and slow the spread of the virus. Our efforts are focused on preventing a sudden spike in positive cases that could overwhelm our health care system and cause other significant impact to the state. Last night I recommended that I was schools closed for four weeks. This recommended recommendation is driven by evidence, evidence based guidelines from our federal partners at the CDC, as well as just great court coordination with the Iowa Department of Public Health. We know that our Children are generally less affected by cove in 19 than others. However, they can carry the virus spreading it in the community. We also have teachers and staff working in our schools who are older adults and others, including Children, with underlying health conditions that would put them at risk. These variables, along with community spread spread metrics, were important factors in our decision making progress process. Other substantial community spread was confirmed. It was time for the next phase of response and mitigation. We know that closing schools has a ripple effect for Iowa families, businesses and our workforce, and I understand that many families air concerned about how to care for their Children and continue to go to work. Childcare plays a key role in supporting Iowa's ability to continue essential functions. My staff is working hand in hand with the Department of Education, the Department of Human Service is and the Department of Public Health to put policies in place that ensure continued access to child care during this time. And this includes financial assistance so that child care providers who received child care assistance are paid on enrollment rather than intendant CE and ways to expedite licensing so that we can quickly ramp up child care capacity. Many low income families who rely on mill programs in their schools are worried about how they will feed their Children at home. Iowa has already applied for and received a U. S. D. A waiver to allow schools to continue serving meals. A point upon closure, schools will be able to activate their summer meal programs and provide meals in nine group setting, such as drive through, pick up or a grab and Go. The Department of Education is working with school districts now on these details, and schools will provide more information to family. Soon the Legislature will be considering and I will sign if passed, legislation to weigh the instructional time requirement for any time missed. While schools are temporarily closed during the next four weeks, Intel will air temporary closed until April 12th of 2020. That legislation will also provide me the authority to waive this requirement for a longer period of time if we if we determine that that becomes necessary today. The Department of Public Health has confirmed one additional positive case of Cove in 19 in a resident of Dallas County. The number of positive cases of covert 19 is increasing across the country and the same will occur here, especially now that we have confirmed substantial community spread. Today, a second shift is being added to the state hygienic lab to expand our testing capabilities. Our daily capacity for running test will now increase from 54 to 108 test per day with the city when the situation warrants. We are ready at that point to add 1/3 shift so that we can continue so we can run tests around the clock. National labs have also begun running tests from Iowa and these labs are required to report all positive test thio test results to the Iowa State Hygienic Lab and those numbers will be included in our daily updates. However, we will not know the number of I would test pending at the national lab or a number of or the number of negative test results. Because the information available to the State hygienic lab and the Department of Public Health is now changing, we will continue to report our positive cases and the county of residence, but we will no longer be able to provide information regarding any known risk factors or contact information related to the positive cases. Today has been another very full day here at the State Emergency Operations Center. This morning I held a meeting with Allstate agency directors, where I updated where I was updated on their mitigation plans to protect the Iowans they serve and their operational plans to ensure business continuity. Later, my team met with I was health systems and other provider organizations to discuss their readiness to serve those who will become ill due to Cove at 19. I'm encouraged by the one team approach they're taking together to ensure Iowans will have the care that they need and deserve when the time calls for it. And we're going to continue to work closely with the team and stand ready to assist them with their needs. As we move forward, we're continuing to work with other businesses and industries to discuss how the state can help ensure that Iowa remains open for business. Um, also today, I joined other governors for a call with President Trump as well as Vice President Pence and their team for an update on Kobe 19 mitigation efforts at the federal level. The president has met with the grocery industry, and he just assures and assures us that stores will stay open. And he asked that all Americans a shot for their weekly needs, allowing stores to keep the items in stock so everyone can purchase purchase essential essentials for their family. We also had a call with our grocery industry on Saturday. I think it wa ce and they they indicated the same thing. You know, we're coordinating efforts there to make sure that we can get the commodity's out to the location so that islands will be served. He also shared that more taste testing capabilities are being rolled out across the country. President encouraged all Americans to again practice social distancing to stay ahead of the curve with the virus. And I'm also calling upon each and every Iowan to be an active part of our statewide mitigation strategy. You really can make a difference. Now is a critical time when we can mitigate and slow the spread of the virus in her state. But it takes all of us working together and to do the right things to make that happen. So I just urge all of you to follow the CDC guidelines and take preventive measures to protect your health as well as the health of others. Wash your hands frequently. Cover your coughs clean, frequently touched surfaces daily. Avoid crowds consider staying home as much as possible, especially if you are a vulnerable population with underlying conditions. Avoid all non essential air travel and especially cruises. And most importantly, if you are sick, stay home and call your doctor first. Before going in for an appointment, they will run you through an assessment and help get you the information that you need. Thes steps may seems too simple to combat a worldwide pandemic, but they are the most important things that we can do right now to mitigate the virus and to slow its spread in our state. Finally, I know that there is a feeling of certainty as the situation continues to to unfold. And as I continue to say, we just need to remain calm. We need to stay informed and please be vigilant about your health and the health of your family's friends, neighbors and fellow Iowans. And so with that, we will get through this together. And, of course, I will continue to keep you updated as we learn. As more information comes down