Government

The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) has been notified of 38 additional positive cases of Iowans with COVID-19, for a total of 336 positive cases. There have been a total of 5,013 negative tests to date, which includes testing reported by the State Hygienic Lab and other labs.  According to IDPH, one Iowan with COVID-19 passed away last night, an older adult (61-80 years) from Linn County.

The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) has been notified of 64 additional positive cases of Iowans with COVID-19, for a total of 298 positive cases (a previously identified positive case in Black Hawk County is not from Iowa). There have been a total of 4,375 negative tests to date, which includes testing reported by the State Hygienic Lab and other labs.

Additional COVID-19 cases in Iowa, 2 additional deaths confirmed, Reynolds holds press conference todayDES MOINES - The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) has been notified of 56 additional positive cases of Iowans with COVID-19, for a total of 235 positive cases. There have been a total of 3,740 negative tests to date, which includes testing reported by the State Hygienic Lab and other labs.

Today, Gov. Reynolds signed a new proclamation continuing the State Public Health Emergency Declaration, suspending elective and nonessential medical and dental procedures, extending and expanding retail business closures, ordering health care facilities and nursing homes to engage in advanced health care screenings, and removing additional legal barriers to ensure a continued strong response to this disaster.

EXTENSION OF BUSINESS CLOSURES AND ORDERSSECTION FOUR.  Pursuant to Iowa Code § 135.144 (3), and in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Public Health, unless otherwise modified by subsequent proclamation or order of the Iowa Department of Public Health, I hereby extend the following orders until 11:59 p.m. on April 7, 2020:A.   Restaurants and Bars: All Restaurants and Bars shall continue to be closed to the general public except that to the extent permitted by applicable law, and in accordance with any recommendations of the Iowa Department of Public Health, food and beverages may be sold if such food or beverages are promptly taken from the premises, such as on a carry-out or drive-through basis, or if the food or beverage is delivered to customers off the premises.

MANDATORY SCREENING OF HEALTH FACILITY STAFFSECTION SIX.   Pursuant to Iowa Code § 135.144(3), and in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Public Health, I hereby order all hospitals, nursing facilities, intermediate care facilities, residential care facilities, hospice programs, and assisted living programs to screen all staff at the beginning of their shift for fever or respiratory symptoms, absence or shortness of breath, new or change in cough, or sore throat, take the employee’s temperature, and take any preventative measures based on that screening to prevent the spread of COVID-19 within the hospitals, nursing facilities, intermediate care facilities, hospice programs, residential care facilities, and assisted living programs.

SUSPENSION OF INVOLUNTARY DISCHARGE FOR NONPAYMENTSECTION TWENTY-FOUR.  Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6) and Iowa Code § 135.144(3), in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Public Health, I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Admin Code rules 481-57.14(1)(e) and 58.40(1)(c), permitting a residential care facility or nursing facility to involuntarily discharge or transfer a resident for nonpayment for the resident's stay.

Click to view AgendaThe Vinton City Council is set to meet on Thursday evening, March 26 beginning at 7:00 p.m.With a 39 topic agenda business will be conducted electronically via Zoom. To listen to the meeting you can call any of the following numbers: 1-646-558-86561-312-626-67991-669-900-91281-253-215-8782You can also connect on a computer at this link: https://zoom/us/j/772280681(Editor's note: for a meeting this long, I'd suggest setting this up on your computer, with speakers and a microphone if you'd like to address the council during any of the public hearings or Citizen's Input.

The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) has been notified of 21 additional positive cases of Iowans with COVID-19, for a total of 145 positive cases. There have been a total of 2,578 negative tests to date, which includes testing reported by the State Hygienic Lab and other labs.  According to IDPH, the locations and age ranges of the 21 individuals include:Allamakee County 1 middle-aged adults (41-60 years)Benton County, 2 middle-aged adults (41-60 years)Hancock County, 1 middle-aged adults (41-60 years)Johnson County, 4 adults (18-40 years), 1 middle-aged adult (41-60 years), 1 older adult (61-80 years)Linn County, 1 middle-aged adult (41-60 years)Muscatine County, 1 adult (18-40 years)Polk County, 3 older adults (61-80 years)Poweshiek County, 2 older adults (61-80 years)Scott County, 2 middle-aged (41-60 years)Washington County, 2 adults (18-40 years) A status report of monitoring and testing of COVID19 in Iowa is provided by IDPH and can be found here.

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING March 25, 2020 at 3:00 p.m. Benton County Board of Supervisors Room ZOOM Conference Call is available * Agenda is not printed in any particular order, only time specific items will be addressed at certain times 1. 3:00 P.M. Call to Order 2. COVID19 Response/update possible closed session per Iowa Code 21.5(1)k 3.