Iowa continues to ease back to normalcy as COVID-19 spread stabilizes

     More businesses have been given the clear to reopen in Iowa as the spread of COVID-19 continues at a steady rate.

     On Wednesday, May 20, Governor Kim Reynolds signed a new proclamation that would by the end of the week allow various types of recreational facilities to open up for the holiday weekend.

     Movie theaters may reopen to limited capacity, restricting individual theaters to 50% of its normal operating capacity and ensuring that six feet of physical distance is maintained between groups.

     Museums, aquariums, and zoos may also resume operations, so long as reasonable measures are taken to ensure social distancing between patrons and staff.

     Likewise, swimming pools will be allowed to reopen for lap swimming and conducting swimming lessons so long as social distancing practices are observed. Any aspect of a pool not related to lap swimming or practice, such as water slides, spray pads, and bath houses, must remain closed.

     The proclamation also gives the go-ahead for wedding receptions. While weddings themselves were granted an exception to the social distancing rules several weeks ago, receptions remain restricted. As of Friday though, wedding reception venues may reopen under the same restrictions as normal restaurants.

     In addition, on Thursday, May 28, bars and other alcohol related establishments will also be permitted to reopen, provided they abide by the same public health measures currently applied to restaurants.

     For summer school athletics, the state is deferring to the guidance of the Iowa Department of Education, Iowa High School Athletic Association, and the Girls High School Athletic Union. These agencies will craft guidelines for school activities, allowing summer athletics to take place outside of the state's prohibition on gatherings of more than ten people.

     These restrictions are being lifted as cases of COVID-19 continue to increase at a relatively stable rate in the state.

     As of Sunday, May 24, there have been 17,461 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state, increasing the 14,651 total from the week prior by 19%. With 2,810 cases reported since the previous Sunday there has been a slight up-tick in new cases, which had been holding steady at roughly 2,700 for the previous two weeks.

     The death rate continues to climb as well with 100 additional deaths reported last week setting a new high for the state, bringing the total to 451 deaths since the first fatal case two months ago. Of the fatal cases, approximately 212 have been elderly (age 80+), 185 have been older adults (60-80), 45 have been middle aged adults (40-60), and nine have been young adults (20-40).

     More than half of the deaths attributed to COVID-19 continue to involve residents and staff of long term health facilities. There are currently 37 long term care facilities with reported outbreaks, resulting in 1,568 positive cases. This continues to account for roughly 9% of the state's total cases.

     In total, approximately 837 elderly, 2,444 older adults, 6,286 middle aged adults, 7,334 young adults, and 524 children have tested positive for the disease. Roughly 64% of positive cases have resulted in symptoms while 10% of those who have tested positive have been asymptomatic.

     One area of rising concern is in the discovery of a coronavirus related condition appearing in children. Though only 3% of Iowa's COVID-19 cases have been reported in children, the disease has left some of the infected with a new condition: Multi-system Inflammatory Syndrome, which causes fever and inflammation throughout the body several weeks after the initial infection.

     The Iowa Department of Public Health has been notified of at least two cases in Eastern Iowa. Because of the newness of the condition, the Department of Public Health has mandated that doctors report all cases to the state in order to collect more information about its exact nature.

     "In the meantime, we want to remind children and their families in Iowa to continue to do all the good things you're already doing," said State Medical Director Dr. Caitlin Pedati. "That includes following public health guidance, frequent hand washing, social distancing, and the use of face coverings when you're unable to maintain a distance of six feet."

     Testing sites through the TestIowa program continue to ramp up. With ten locations scheduled for testing this week across the state, the TestIowa program has loosened its assessment criteria. Iowans can take the assessment at TestIowa.com to see if they qualify to have an appointment scheduled.

     Serology testing has also kicked off as the state is now reporting the numbers of people who have tested positive for COVID-19 antibodies. Out of 15,565 individuals tested, 1,786 have been found with COVID-19 antibodies, which will help the state determine where the virus has been and whether or not people who have recovered from the disease will be susceptible to re-infection.

     With the increase in testing and the stable supply of hospital resources such as ventilators and ICU beds, Governor Reynolds is confident that the state can withstand its ease into re-opening.

     "We are seeing stabilization. We're not overwhelming our healthcare systems. We've demonstrated that we have the resources to manage any type of an up tick or a surge," said Reynolds on Wednesday, May 20. "We have to move forward. We have to recognize the fact that the virus is in our communities and we have to navigate that."