(Des Moines) Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds Thursday announced the expansion and extension of the current Iowa Public Health Disaster Emergency Proclamation.
The Governor extended and expanded retail business closures, including the suspension of elective and non-essential medical and dental procedures, and removed additional legal barriers to ensure a continued strong response to this disaster. “These actions will help us preserve the personal protection equipment, as well as our healthcare workforce,” said Reynolds.
The Governor says as of 10:00 p.m. tonight, all existing closures, including restaurants and bars, will be extended to April 7.
Reynolds also announced the additional closures of retail stores through April 7, including bookstores, clothing and shoe stores, jewelry, luggage, cosmetics, perfume, and beauty supply stores. The expanded declaration also includes the closure of florists, furniture, and home furnishing stores.
Valid at 5:00 p.m. on Friday (March 28) through the duration of this disaster, the suspension of all non-essential elective surgeries and procedures be delayed without undue risks to patients. All elective dental procedures, including routine hygiene cosmetic or orthodontic procedures, are suspended, except for emergency procedures.
Additionally, to encourage the use of telehealth services to screen and treat individuals who may have the virus, health insurance companies shall reimburse health care providers for telehealth visits at the same rate as in-person visits.
“These additional steps, along with the ones already taken, are equivalent to the goals of many shelter-in-place orders,” explained Reynolds. “I understand these decisions will continue to impact the lives of and lively hoods of Iowans. But the more we do now to mitigate the spread of the virus, the sooner we’ll get through this so life and business can get back to normal.”
The Governor also order healthcare facilities, including nursing homes, to engage in enhanced staff health screenings.
She recommended Iowa Schools stay closed until April 13, as previously stated.“We continue to monitor and assess the situation daily and work with school superintendents across the state,” said Reynolds. “Director Lebo will be with us tomorrow to present an update on some of the issues they’ve been working with superintendent’s to make sure we’re providing students with what they need throughout this time.”
The state of public health disaster emergency shall expire on April 16, 2020, at 11:59 p.m., unless sooner terminated or extended by the governor.
As of Wednesday evening, The Iowa Department of Public Health reported 34 additional positive cases of Iowans with COVID-19, for a total of 179 positive cases. There have been a total of 2,975 negative tests to date, which includes testing reported by the State Hygienic Lab and other labs, and thirty-one individuals hospitalized as of Wednesday evening.
Today, the Montgomery County Public Health Department reported their first positive case of COVID-19.
(Photo: file photo courtesy of Kelsey Kremer/Des Moines Register)
