(Des Moines) Governor Reynolds signed a new proclamation continuing the Public Health Disaster Emergency. The declaration extends the public health mitigation measures currently in place, including the requirement to maintain social distancing in bars, restaurants, movie theaters, and similar venues. And it extends many of the regulatory relief measures previously implemented.
The proclamation also clarifies all team athletic activities may now resume according to guidance from the department of health, Iowa High School Athletic Association, and the Iowa Girl’s High School Athletic Union.
The State Public Health Emergency Declaration proclamation is in effect until 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, July 25, 2020.
The full proclamation is online.
Governor Reynolds said they understand virus activity may fluctuate based on the decisions they make, whether gathering in large groups or exercising individual freedom. “Every Iowan has a stake in the health of our state,” said Reynolds. “We must all do our part to keep the virus contained and manageable, even as we return to our everyday activities,” said Reynolds.
Reynolds says over the past month, the number of positive cases, hospitalizations, and deaths trend downward. Reynolds said another good sign is the downward trend of Iowa’s positivity rate on Tuesday and Wednesday.
There is a rise in the number of positive cases in some states in the younger population. Reynolds says adults between the ages of 18-40 have consistently shown the highest number of positive cases than any other age group. Since June 1, 55-percent of the positive tests have been Iowans 18-40 years of age, compared to 25-percent of Iowans 41-60. Iowans 61-80 have a 10-percent positivity rate, and a two-percent rate of residents 80-years old and above.
The state’s overall positivity rate for June is just 5.6 percent, and 94-percent of Iowans have tested negative.
