The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) and Gov. Kim Reynolds confirmed today (Thursday) a COVID-19 outbreak has been identified at the Tyson pork processing facility in Storm Lake. Reynolds said during her press conference this morning 555 of the 2,517 workers at the plant had tested positive for the virus as of May 28. IDPH Deputy Director, Sarah Reisetter, stated businesses are not required by law to report outbreaks. However, she pointed out health officials are able to identify outbreaks as they carry out case investigations for infected individuals. The financial impact of the pandemic continues to weigh heavily on all areas of the state’s economy, particularly for agriculture. According to Reynolds, Iowa State University estimates losses of $2 billion for the pork industry, $700 million for beef, $800 million for corn and $200 million for soybeans in just Iowa. Sixteen billion dollars in direct payments to producers has been made available through the CARES and Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Acts to aid farmers hurt by price declines and market disruptions. Applications are available at your local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office. Iowa Sec. of Agriculture, Mike Naig, announced during the press conference the state has opened applications for the Disposal Assistance Program to help cover some of the costs incurred by the forced euthanasia of market-ready hogs. First-round applications are open through Friday, May 29 and can be completed at iowaagriculture.gov/idap. Since 11 a.m. Wednesday, Iowa has confirmed 280 new COVID-19 cases, pushing the total to 18,542, and 16 additional coronavirus-related deaths, marking 503 deaths to date. As for the listening area, Calhoun County stands at two cases, Carroll at nine, Audubon with 12, Greene County at 13, Sac with 17, Guthrie at 46 and Crawford County at 489. For more information on COVID-19 in Iowa, visit coronavirus.iowa.gov.
