In addition to the COVID-19 case number update, Gov. Kim Reynolds announced during her daily press conference the implementation of a large-scale testing initiative for Iowans. The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) reports they confirmed 482 new cases Tuesday morning, bringing the state’s total to 3,641. Thirty-three percent of these new cases are connected to surveillance testing conducted at various meatpacking facilities. State health officials recorded four additional coronavirus-related deaths Tuesday, marking the 84th death to date. Reynolds, along with representatives from several Utah companies and organizations, Nomi Health, Qualtrics and Silicon Slopes, also announced during the press conference the launch of Test Iowa. Iowa is the second state in the nation to take part in the fledgling initiative, which has already seen success in Utah. This program is expected to increase Iowa’s testing capacity by 540,000, which equates to approximately 3,000 more tests per day. All Iowans are asked to log on to www.testiowa.com and complete a brief survey to determine risk factors and eligibility for testing. Once the questionnaire is completed, individuals who qualify will be provided additional direction on how to proceed to a test location, the nearest of which is set to open Saturday in Des Moines. The last step in the process is for the IDPH to conduct contact tracing for those who test positive. Data collected will be kept completely confidential and help state officials develop a plan for reopening the state safely. As for case numbers in the listening area, Audubon, Carroll and Greene Counties have recorded a single case each. Guthrie stands at four, Crawford at six and Shelby County at nine. For more information on COVID-19 in Iowa, follow the link included below.
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