The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) reports 420 new COVID-19 cases have been confirmed since 11 a.m. Wednesday, bringing the state’s total to 15,954. State health officials also identified 21 additional coronavirus-related deaths, marking 404 deaths to date. During Thursday’s press conference, Gov. Kim Reynolds announced they would be significantly reducing the criteria to qualify for COVID-19 testing at Test Iowa sites, and that change is expected to be implemented yet today (Thursday). Iowans who would like to be tested are encouraged to log on to www.TestIowa.com and complete another questionnaire, even if they have already done so recently. Iowa Department of Education Director, Ann Lebo, detailed how educational enrichment opportunities, such as summer school, academic enrichment programs or activity-based camps, will resume June 1 with mitigation measures. These include screening students and staff daily, creating dedicated groups within classes, enhancing cleaning regimens and much more. Van Meter baseball coach, Mike Kennedy, also joined Reynolds during her press conference to provide insight on what the summer seasons may look like. Kennedy says dugouts, bleachers and concessions will not be available, and schools will need to rethink how student-athletes are transported to and from away games. High school games throughout the state are scheduled to begin June 15. As for case numbers in the listening area, Calhoun County stands at two, Sac and Carroll at seven, Audubon with 11 and Greene with 13. Guthrie County has climbed to 42 confirmed cases and Crawford County to 419. For more information on COVID-19 in Iowa, visit coronavirus.iowa.gov.
