The Iowa Department of Public Health reports 539 more Iowans have tested positive for COVID-19, and 18 more have died. The IDPH says that out 81,288 tests administered, 12,912 are positive for COVID-19 (1 out of every 242 per capita), an increase of 1.4%.  289 people have died, to date. No new, LTC facility outbreaks were reported over the past 24-hours.

The RMCC database shows: 394 patients hospitalized due to COVID-19; 143 are in an ICU; 28 were admitted over the past 24-hours, and 5,618 are recovering. Contrary to her statement Monday about announcing changes in restrictions on Iowans’ businesses and activities, Governor Kim Reynolds said today she would delay that announcement until Wednesday, instead.

(She says her team, the administration and IDPH are still reviewing information, and that her decision will be made by carefully, and driven by data.)

Reynolds said the restrictions reduced for some businesses as well as churches, are cautiously being followed by those businesses and churches.

She said “Many are taking extra time to make sure that they are ready to safely serve their customers and communities.”

(She said “lifting restrictions is not a mandate, that businesses must re-open, but for those that are ready, it’s an opportunity to get back to business, bring employees back to work, and get Iowa’s economy moving ahead.”)