Governor Kim Reyolds updated the COVID-19 figures at 11:30 Monday. 349 new cases were reported for 5,868 total. 9 new deaths were reported for 127 total. 2,021 have recovered so far. 1 in every 82 Iowans have been tested for the virus.
The governor stated that we cannot stop the virus until a vaccine is discovered. She encouraged Iowans to learn how to live with the virus using mitigation efforts.
The governor announced easing of restrictions because she feels Iowa must have a safe yet manageable strategy to contain the virus. Effective May 1st in 77 counties restrictions on many businesses will be lifted. Restaurants, fitness centers, retail stores, and enclosed malls can operate at 50% capacity with social distancing measures. Restrictions on religious gatherings will be lifted. Black Hawk, Bremer and Fayette Counties are amongst the counties not allowed to open up until at least May 15.
Local COVID-19 figures have been announced for Monday. Bremer County has 45 total confirmed cases and now 3 death. All Bremer County deaths have been elderly people. Butler County now has 8 total cases, Chickasaw County has 4. Fayette County now has 16 cases reported. Black Hawk County has two separate figures being reported: the State reports 844 cases and 2 additional deaths of older but not elderly adults for a total of 11 deaths while the Black Hawk County Health Department says they have 939 cases reported. The difference in those totals are likely due to timing of reporting because the official numbers from the State are always roughly a day behind.