SIGN UP FOR BREAKING NEWS Get local stories sent straight to your inbox as news breaks. Submit Privacy Notice

IDPH reports 2 additional deaths, 52 new COVID-19 cases Share Shares Copy Link Copy

Hide Transcript Show Transcript

good afternoon. Thank you for joining us. We'll go ahead and start the press conference with the latest data and updates on the numbers. Today we have 73 new positive cases for a total of 497 positive cases. We have 726 negative cases today for a total of 6888 negative cases. We have 61 Iowans that are hospitalized as of last evening and we have 85 that have recovered. I am sorry to report that we have had one additional death Ah, middle aged adult in Muscatine County and that brings our total to seven. Today we have 1761 test available at the State Hygienic lab. For weeks, we have stressed the importance of people staying home and a wave from the public if they become sick. Even with mild illness is about 80% of people who become infected with cove it 19 will experience only mild symptoms. They may feel physically well enough to go about their normal routine, but they should not. This type of behavior can put lives at Risk Cove in 19 doesn't discriminate, discriminate. It spreads quickly and easily, inducting young and old alike. But the virus is far more serious for older adults above the age of 60 with underlying health conditions. And that's why nursing homes and long term care facilities were identified early on as a high priority for mitigation efforts. Not only are they home toe older and elderly adults likely to have one or more chronic health conditions, but residents who lived in close quarters and congregate for meals and activities creating an environment for the virus to spread rapidly from person to person. As we've seen in some United States cities, this can have devastating results. In Iowa, we've been putting a place mitigation efforts thio in the state long term care facilities in the days following our first positive covet 1919 cases on March 14th the Iowa Veterans Home restricted all visitors and begin screening all staff before they entered the facility. The Department of Human Service is also suspended in person visitation and implemented staff screenings at their state or at their six state run facilities. And the D. I A issued similar guidance for nursing homes, residential care facilities, assisted living facilities and adult day day service is restricting visitors, suspending communal dining and group group activities and screening staff. The Department of Public Health has conducted outreach to the 444 plus long term care facilities across Iowa and hosted Webinars to educate them about the virus and provide guidance on mitigation planning. The Department of Public Health also engaged. I was long term care associations in the planning and mitigation process. Here with me today are Bret Bret Well, it from Iowa Health Care Association, Shannon Strickler from leading a age. Excuse me to share how their associations have helped to prepare and support their long term care members during this unprecedented time rent. Thank you, Governor, and thank you to you for your service to our state. You've marshaled a remarkable response to a generational public health challenge. We also appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with you and your team at the Iowa Department of Public Health. The Department of Human Service is I will Workforce Development and Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals on solutions to protect our state's most vulnerable residents. A zit relates to this virus. What we know about Cove in 19 is that it presents the highest risk of serious illness and death to the elderly and people with preexisting medical conditions. Our association serves long term care providers across the state, including nursing facilities, assisted living and home health agencies who provide care for Iowa's elderly and most vulnerable residents. We're committed to doing all we can to protect the health and well being of Iowa's elderly and most vulnerable as health care professionals who care for this population, infection could prevention and control our core toe what long term care providers do every day. And they have a number of tools they use to prevent and control infection on a daily basis in situations where there's a heightened risk like now, one of those tools is to implement visitation protocols and procedures to protect those in our care and to utilise health screening protocols for anyone entering our facilities. Iowa providers have implemented national and state guidance regarding non essential visits to a long term care facilities and allow entry to Onley individuals who need entry restricting activities and visitors with potential for exposure, and actively screen individuals who need who entered the building. These procedures also require all individuals to wash their hands of entry and for care providers to offer remote communication options for residents in their families to ensure residents safety and quality of life. We understand the challenges thes visitation procedures have placed on families. However, it is vitally important that we do everything that we can to protect the health and safety of their loved ones and our residents in the event of a positive covert tests in a long term care facility. We're working to ensure our providers have the tools that they need to respond quickly and effectively. Our association has sought waivers on behalf of skilled nursing facilities in home health agencies to temporarily provide flexibility to provide providers to focus on patient care needed during this crisis. The waivers in CMS is current nationwide waivers. Processes allowed additional flexibility is necessary to take appropriate actions quickly and protect residents and staff such as moving cove in 19 positive patients into separate wings. To receive care, our associations developed a crisis response tool kit to assist providers with steps to take if such a situation occurs, including action checklists, employees and patients screening protocols, P p e guidance and communications tools to help them communicate quickly with the Iowa Department of Public Health. Family members and staff providers are in communication with the Department of Public Health if they have a positive outbreak of covert 19 as well is communicating with their staff, residents, families and other agencies. We're also working to keep providers updated as information and guidance evolves and we learn more about Cove in 19 we've established a covert 19 website that's available to the public specifically for long term care providers that is updated daily as well as we're hosting weekly provider calls and providing email updates to our members. Protecting the health and well being of Iowa's long term care residents and employees remains our top priority. We will continue to work with our members and state and federal health partners to share any new updates as the cove in 19 situation evolves, thank them for what they're doing and work with them to ensure continued care for Iowa seniors at this very difficult time. Thank you. Good afternoon. My name is Shannon Strickler, and I am president and CEO of leading age Iowa, an association representing not for profit providers across the care continuum our members priority every day remains helping to ensure the health and safety of the older adults that they serve and the team members who served them. Much of their work during this challenging time revolves around safety and compliance. They've developed plans and protocols to respond to the various. What if scenarios related to Cove in 19? They're focused on filing the guidance from I. T. PH, the CDC, CMS and D I. A. They have not only implemented this guidance but are also self auditing to ensure that those safeguards are being followed for the health and safety of all those involved. They're working closely with their medical directors as well as county, public health and emergency medical service is we need it. Members are closely monitoring their P P E supply with the CDC calculator and applying the optimization protocols. There is a state plan in place to coordinate closely with public health if those supplies start getting low and the State Emergency Response team has been very responsive to long term cure needs. As Brent mentioned, members have implemented visitor restrictions except for the cases of end of life providers conduct daily medical screenings of all team members and residents to closely monitor health status. Pursuant to the CDC guidance and the governor's proclamation, all group activities and communal dining has been placed on hold, and social distancing is being practiced. Providers air Cross training their staff as part of their emergency staffing plans and connecting virtually with displaced workers interested in opportunities to work with older adults. In addition to their focus on health and safety are members are also supporting the well being of residents and communicating with residents and families not only to educate but also to reassure. They've been creative on strategies to keep residents engaged and connected, all while observing the recommended infection control guidance in social distancing. I'd like to commend and thank all. The team members were placing their own worries and needs aside to care for the residents who need them. They have been resolved, resilient, creative and compassionate to the public. We thank you for your understanding of these visitor restrictions and programming changes. We look forward to a time when this is no longer necessary, as the governor's indicated these past few weeks, the public is a key partner in keeping Iowans healthy and slowing the spread within the state. Thank you. Thank you, Brandt and Shana. And I appreciate your common three much and everything that you're doing to take care of our elderly. I also wanted to acknowledge we have director Larry Johnson from the Department of Inspection and appeals with us today. So you have any questions for him? Larry is here and happy to answer. And I, too want to take just a moment to thank the doctors and the nurses and the assistance in the AIDS and others across the state who care for Iowa seniors, whether it's a residential facility or it's in their own homes. And this is an especially challenging time, and your work is so important. So please be safe and take care of yourself so that you can continue to serve Iowans who need you again. Thank you. Ah, heartfelt Thanks for all you d'oh! And in closing today, I want I want to know about an additional resource that's available if they need legal advice. So we've been working on this and we have this set up. So the cove it 19 legal information hotline will help by ones who have questions or are experiencing legal problems due to this crisis, so you can call them toll free at 1 803 3 to 0419 Again, that is 1 800 332 zero for 19 And the service is being provided by Iowa Legal Aid in partnership with the Iowa State Bar Association and the Polk County Volunteer, a lawyer project. So thank you to all of all of those who are helping provide this important servers during this time and what that will go ahead and open it up for questions. Governor, the CDC director, said in an interview yesterday that up to 25% of Cove in 19 carriers may show no symptoms but can still spread the disease again and again. You've said, you know, if you're sick, even mildly sick, stay home. But is that really enough? And is it time for more aggressive messaging to let people know that they might have the disease, even if they're not showing any symptoms? Yeah, I think we have been very aggressive in our messaging, and we've said said, over and over, whether it's doctor but Daddy or whether it's Sarah or whether it's myself If you're feeling ill, stay home. If you have mild sister symptoms, stay home. If you are experiencing symptoms that are related to covert 19 such as a fever cough or some respiratory illness, please call your doctor First. They will walk you through a series of questions like the doctors do and make the decision if they think that you should come in, how you should proceed forward with that and what necessary steps need to be taken if you do. Ah ha A test at that's outside of the state hygienic lab. Ah, lot of times it's a couple days before you get those results back, so they're telling their patients to stay at home until we get the results. So, you know, I think we've been consistent in the messaging that we've been delivering toe Iowans. We all have a role toe help keep our most vulnerable, vulnerable Iowans safe and healthy. And it's also we've tried to put metrics in place that would start to ah flattened the curve so that we don't overwhelm our hospital systems, that we make sure that we have the beds and the pee pee and the equipment that we need to take care of Iowans we're also working with the Department of Public Health is they're putting together metrics that will help us identify potentially what that peak may look like for Iowa. And when that may occur so that we can start to monitor that and be prepared with hospital we have across the state, we have different coalitions, whether it's the, um, the county M A's, the healthcare providers, the hospitals and the Iowa National Guard that our meeting in our health care coalitions to talk about from a regional perspective, how we be ready for a potential Serge. They're planning for the worst, hoping that we can buy the steps that we've taken mitigate that been the curve and not overwhelm our hospital system. But we have to be ready for that. So they're looking at bed capacity. They're looking at I C U beds. They're looking at events they're looking at, PP. They're looking at what happens if one certain hospital reaches their capacity of beds. What is the follow through and where do we move and how do we address that within the various regions? And those discussions air happening on a daily basis, almost and so will hope to get a report from that by this Thursday. 30. You have anything to add to that? I think the only other thing I would add to that is, and I think this is consistent with what I said yesterday is that we do know the viruses circulating within our state at this particular point in time. So if you do need to leave your home, you should really practice social distancing, because if somebody is ill, but they're asymptomatic you you can protect yourself by making sure that when you do need to leave the home the's day at least six feet apart, that you avoid large gatherings. Certainly gatherings, more than 10 people should be avoided. Um, and, uh, you should really stay home as much as possible if you don't have to be out and about tag onto that governor. In your response to Catherine's question, you were saying, you know, reiterating your your message of stay home when you're sick when you're showing symptoms. But that runs counter to the notion that you know asymptomatic people could still be spreading it. So how do we find a common ground with messaging that Maybe I would need to be doing Maur even if they aren't showing symptoms. But I think it goes back to what Sarah said. You know, if you go out, practice social distancing, limit the amount of your of your trips only go out for like, essential things, go to the grocery store. Medical check on a loved one that may need to stay home. Don't go out in a group. Rotate one of you go to the grocery store, go every two weeks. Don't buy two months worth of supplies by two weeks worth. So I mean, when you go out, be conscientious practice. Personal hygiene. I can't look the state down. I can't lock everybody in their home. We have to make sure that we're you know, we have to make sure the supply chain is up and going. We have an essential work force that has to be available, and so people also have to be responsible for themselves. And when we limit the amount of times that we're going out and what we're going out for and where we're going and minimizing the number of people were around, we will start to accomplish. Hopefully what we're trying to do, and that is to flatten the curve and to get through this and get things back to normal and stand this economy back up. Maybe give some advice to Iowans who made me think that just because they're outside they can't cause I just based on, like, recent days I'm walking my dog. I'm seeing groups of people outside standing close together. He may be. Do you have any advice for those people who don't stand close together? It's kind of what we've been saying, you know, practice, social distancing. We're trying to do it here. Get about six feet apart, try toe. Be aware of your surroundings. We all have a role to play and and, you know, we're all experiencing some some, you know, significant inconveniences. As I said the other day, the impact of these decisions that it has on our businesses are small. Businesses are families and individuals. It's significant, you know, we're asking a lot of Iowans, but I am saying and we're saying best not based on, um, data that if we can really do our part each and every one of us, hopefully we can get through this sooner. Rather than later every day. New things, air coming online. Just like that testing machine that I talked about yet yesterday from Abbott, where I can get a result in five minutes. We're getting 15 of them and we'll get more, but originally will get 15. It's mobile. We can get this into some of our long term care facilities. We can make sure that our healthcare workforce is healthy and not testing positive. We can make sure, you know, and every day they're increasing the number of people that we contest. So we have a better idea of who test positive who is not how we can keep him at home. We were able to report today 82. Was that 85 85 recovered? So you know what? Those numbers continue to increase. That's a potential group of individuals that we can move back into the workforce. They're talking about a test now that we can see. If you've had for that, you had coveted 19 and you weren't aware of it. And so the more information that we're able to gather, the better informed will be, and it will help, I think you know, um, drive us in the metric say we're using to make the decisions we make moving forward going. I think you touched on this a little bit, but I want to ask you there's up projection out there from the University of Washington program and that it's been cited by several government officials. So it Z program projection looking hospital information across states. And according to their projection, Iowa has will have enough beds to cover hospitalizations. But, well, maybe just not quite have enough toe for I C. U patients, so I'm just wondering if just but just back out from that more broadly, what are what is going on? That's what I thought, but I think you touched on a little bit. But what is going on specifically with I C. U beds and availability and in different regions? So those regions that I talked about, we're getting that information. I want to thank the Iowa Hospital Association. They have been a tremendous partner because we're asking for a lot of information for our hospitals. Not only are we asking for from the Department of Public Health, but some of our love local public health providers and their e. O. C. teams are asking for that information. Now we have the federal administration that is wanting to gather that data so they can incorporate that into the metrics that they have. And so we're working diligently. We have 100 18 hospitals across the state, so again, thank you to the Iowa Hospital Association for helping us gather this information. Right now, they've been able to identify 1500 fence and anesthesia machines we have. You know, I said the other day bed capacity of about 12,000. We have probably the capacity to staff 9000 off that right now with the recent information that we've received and will continue to monitor that we have about 600. I see you beds, and then there are some that are not adult beds that we could potentially utilizes. Well, whether it's Nikki or the pick, you and then in addition to that, with E. N S. T. J events events, sometimes we can use to off of those. But, you know, that's if we're really need to. That's also an option. And then the, um, I don't know if the 1500 includes the National Guard had some vents. Also, it does include that Okay, that we had access to as well. So we're working every day to streamline the way that we get the information from hospitals whose health care workers and administrators are working around the clock to make sure that they can take care of Iowans that we're prepared as we start to move into the peak. And there's a lot of moving parts, and every day I think we get a little bit better about how we're streamlining that process to make sure that we have the most up to date information as we plan with the metrics that the Department of Public Health is making available to us to make the decisions that were making Oh, I don't have us a question I have. Oh, you can ask that one course that next time I'm not gonna let you ask any know the $20 million that you have authorized by the Legislature to spend? I know two million went to the small grant program. Have you made any other allocations of that funding and do you plan to ask for more so I have not yet. But your question is timely. I am sitting down with a Department of Management and director Roeder today as well as Joel and my team to take a look at what Debbie is requesting will look at the numbers. I anticipate allocating additional funding through the that small business grant program that the Department of Economic Development Authority put together. And then we'll take a look at where, really? David has been looking at the care, Zach to see how that fits in to what we're doing. And the more information as we are able to go through that and look what we're able to provide that'll decide what we're looking at. Going forward. First question of bone, Eric. Go ahead. Well, uh, yes, this one to ask after Governor, uh, there's one talk about essential and nonessential businesses going around. I'm wondering in your mind set what you believe is an essential business. Well, we haven't really addressed that specifically in any orders that we have put in place. We have outlined businesses that we based on data fit into a criteria that would be non essential at this point. If we do start to make that determination, the place that I would start is with kind of the recommendations from home. The the U. S. Homeland security. So they have laid out and actually even rotten some of their criteria for what are essential work force. But, you know, especially in a state that, you know, we feed the world. And when we look att, tthe e health care system and the health care providers that we have in our state and the manufacturing base that we have in our state And when we talk about the supply chain, I wouldn't be surprised if we would be similar to what Minnesota seem that after they issued their order, almost 80% of their available workforce tied Thio into the essential work force academy category. So, you know, we're still walking through what that may look like, but that it would be a place that I would start if we decided to really lay out what that would intel Dave Price. Next question. Good afternoon, Governor. Could we talk specifically about the testing kids right now if you look at the numbers that somewhere between 608 100 today, here recently of these results that you're releasing, how many people ideally do you want tested every day. And have you asked President Trump for help in getting more testing supplies? Oh, we all have has the administration for additional testing supply. So I've talked often about being on the call weekly with the vice president and the Corona task force of many times. The president is on there as well. So not only have we been able to work through the National Governors Association and have, you know, like the chair really issues some of the request on behalf of governors all across the country, but we also each have an opportunity to put in or to talk and bring up specific request or issues or problems that we may have. So we've got that as a channel to do that. But we're also able any, you know, any time that I feel like I need to get a message into, ah, the administration, the the communication and coordination has been really, really good. And so I could talk about what we do with the state hygienic club and what their capacity is, and then we also have the other labs that are testing as well, and we continue to see the numbers I think increase all the time. Do you have one of talk about the potential numbers at the state hygienic lab, or do you know that are Yeah, yes, right? So So you know, I have mentioned previously that there are a number of different components that go into a test. And so it's not just, you know, test kits are also re agents. There's PCR, Um, we've it's been described us as you know you need flour, salt and pepper, and you need some sugar, too, to be able to put the whole test framework together that's being used currently at the state hygienic lab. And so we have conversations with the state hygienic lab on a daily basis to check in with them to see what supplies that they need. And we offer any support that we can to provide any assistance they might need in get gathering additional supplies. And so, you know, in addition to supplies, there's a staffing resource component, and we continue to offer support to the state hygienic lab s so that they can ramp up and be a CZ effective as possible on conducting as many tests as they have access to and staffing to support. I forgot. I actually did send a letter last week, I think, to the administration requesting additional test for the state hygienic lab since we were the only one in the state that was providing that testing. So I did send that request. I think my date, my week, certain days are starting to run together. But I think that was last week when it was Saturday, OK, Saturday that I did send that request in, but it's kind of a constant request and we're continually, um, updating, um, the materials that we need in order to do that and again, there just are additional ways that we're testing that continue to come on. I think I said yesterday that Abbott indicated that they would be able to make 50,000 day for the next 30 days. And so they really are cranking up this new testing device that they have. And that is a test that is the machine and the kits to do the testing. So the more that we can get those out in the States, I think it'll be helpful. Next question. Ron Steel. Good afternoon, Governor. Thanks for taking my two part question. and real quickly. Every briefing you mentioned the metrics, the data that you are using, the base your decisions daily. So based on your data and based on Iowa's population, do you consider 497 positive cases and seven deaths Maur or less than the number of cases in death you might have anticipated by this date of March 31st. And do you have a potential peak or worst case scenario built into the project? So we are actually, I talked about that. We're working with the Department of Public Health that is putting those metrics together so we can start Thio, uh, monitor when we think we will reach that peak. But I'm gonna let Sarah talk a little bit about some of the data that they're looking at or when they anticipate that. Yeah, So I think I said on Sunday that we would anticipate to see a peak, and I was sometime within the next 2 to 3 weeks, which would put us towards the middle. Um, or, you know, mid to late April is when we based on the current information that we have about the way that our case counselor increasing in addition to considering the mitigation efforts that have been put in place by Governor Reynolds, which includes recommending closure of schools in addition to closer of bars and restaurants and other stores limiting mass gatherings and those sorts of things. And so, based on all of those measures that have been taken in our state, based on the case counts that we see the severity of the case counts that we see the average age of our population, we're looking at all of those things. And that's when that's why we think this particular point in time and based on the experience in other states, that we could see that peak within the next 2 to 3 weeks. So the other thing is Thio they Yesterday, the CDC and the administration talked about new metrics that they were going to make available to states that we can use in some of the modeling that we're doing as well. So we start to be consistent in what we're using for metrics Lin with capital This Yes, uh, Governor does announced today that two of the cannabidiol dispensaries will be permanently closed. I was wondering what the reasoning was behind that and if it's related at all to the pandemic. No, I do not believe that it was related to the pandemic. But I am not 100% sure about that. And you know Ah, we're working with the Department of Public Health since finding out that they have closed down. I know they're committed to providing patient access, and they're working to license new dispensary. So they will issue in our of pee, and then we'll move forward with fat, and I can follow. I can have my communications team file up, maybe give you some additional information. I'm just not I don't believe it was tied to that, but I'm not 100% sure. So I'll have them follow up and get you an answer to your specific question recommendation. That was a business decision. Those please. Naked. Doin register. Go ahead. Thank you, Governor. We quoted a doctor today estimating that the actual spread of Corona virus 5 10 times greater than what current testing shows. So with greater testing capacity, coming online will be a priority, I think kind of capture that whole picture of the spread of the virus. That's our intent, right? I mean, I think is increased. Testing becomes available. Certainly there will be access for more Iowans to testing. But at this point in time, it doesn't necessarily change the treatment for somebody who's been diagnosed with the Corona virus. So at this point in time, there are no specific therapeutics or medication. There isn't a vaccine for the virus, and so for our patients that are mildly ill, the treatment for them and the recommendation for them would be to go home and to stay home while they're ill. And then that they would stay home for at least seven days after the onset of symptoms and for at least three days after the symptoms revolved resolved, including their fever. So that would be the recommendation, whether people are tested or not, if they're feeling ill. That's the advice that everybody should be following. Um, and then if you do need to see your doctor, then you need to call ahead. Before you visit the office. We'll take two more questions. Ron is the second to last go ahead, Governor Oh, when counties had a significant number two days, you talked about the out very complicated facility yesterday, but there's another significant jump today. How close are you dialing up additional protective measures there and there? You thinking of putting additional bakers in the eastern region of the state where the cases were growing faster than others? Or do you want all your emergency measures? State? What? No, In fact, I said, with the metrics that we put in place, actually, by not doing a statewide that allows us to identify where some of the hot spots may be, whether it's from a regional perspective or maybe county community, whatever that may be. Eso Linn County now has 90 positive cases, and 30 of those were tied to the heritage long term care facility. So ah, third of the cases and the Department of Public Health has been working with them just every day, morning, noon and night, Really making sure that they have the resource is that they need and making sure that you know they're there in case they need any additional support. They have done a lot of outreach with them, as well as a lot of the other long term care facilities as well. So those air like Rod, we meet in the morning and we meet in the evening, and so I meet at 9 30 then we end our day Ah, with a wrap up meeting to review again what's transpired during the day. What some of the metrics are, what we're what we're looking at and what we're basing those decisions on. So we're gonna continue to do that. And we'll we'll, you know, adjust based on the recommendations that are given to me by the Department of Public Health utilizing CDC. Other resource is they're taking into account what other states are seeing happen. So they're bringing in a lot of different. Not only a lot of different metrics and additional resource is to help them give me the recommendations that they have given me. That really has driven all of the decisions I've made up up into this point and will be what I use. Moving forward. Last question. Casey C. I. And go where you go anywhere around the Des Moines Metro area and you'll see kids nice weather playing outside hordes of Eman, clearly unrelated. Obviously, it be a good thing normally, but it's not now. No parental supervision, not social distancing. Is there anything that can be done outside of a shelter in place order to keep these kids from being people who spread this disease around. Especially now that we have cases of kids getting. So come on, parents, get out there and help me get those kids minding. So I would ask for that. But if you look at most of the stay at home orders that button put put in place, there still are letting kids, you know, you can still go outside, but they're asking them thio be, uh, uh, be smart. And when they're going outside to practice, social distancing to not gather in groups of more than 10 So that information remains the same and just, you know, we just need to keep telling them that they need Thio, you know, practice the measures that have been put in place. So we'll continue to drive the message and hopefully, you know, I mean, people are hearing it and so I don't know if I said this yesterday, but they did a passenger traffic counts this weekend and it actually was down 55% from a year ago. So people are getting the message and they are staying home, and we just need it. They can go. You can go outside and go for a walk and and, you know, be active. You just have to practice social distancing and don't gather in groups because that's how we're gonna get through this and get through this sooner rather than later. So thank you.