(Johnston) Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds reported 118 new positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the total to 1,388 positive cases and two deaths. Two new counties reported positive cases, (Osceola and Union), for a total of 81 counties. Reynolds reported 862 negative cases today for a total of 14,565, and the State Hygienic Lab has 1,974 tests available. As of Thursday evening, 119 individualized hospitalized, and 506 recovered, for a rate of 36-percent. The deaths include an elderly and older adult both in Linn County bringing the total to 31 fatalities.
Governor Reynolds speaking at her daily briefing on Friday morning introduced the Feeding Iowa Task Force led by Lieutenant Governor Adam Gregg.
Reynolds charged the task force with raising hunger awareness issues, identifying potential gaps in the system, and connecting resources to ensure Iowans have food on their tables and know where they can get help.
The Governor says food banks, pantries, emergency meal sites, and shelters need volunteers. She noted nearly 40-percent of the volunteers on the food bank force are older adults and at high risk. The Governor says these individuals need to stay home to protect their health. She’s looking for low-risk healthy volunteers.
The Governor thanked the following for their contributions; Iowa Pork Producers, Beef Council, A & E Dairy, Tyson Foods, Iowa Egg farmers, Smithfield foods, Lynch Livestock Company, Corteva agriscience, Iowa Farm Bureau and Mid-American Energy.
