Health officials in Shelby County are reporting two additional Shelby County residents have tested positive for 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), bringing the total number of cases to five. The ages of the two latest cases are: A person age 61-to 80, and a person 81 or older.

Community spread of COVID-19 is occurring in Shelby County. For this reason, all Shelby County residents are urged to:

• Stay home
• Practice social distancing and avoid handshakes
• Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds each time, or use an alcohol-based sanitizer when soap and water are not available
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow/upper arm

If you have a fever, cough or respiratory symptoms, CALL AHEAD to 712-755-5130. Do NOT go directly to the Emergency Room or the clinic.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:35 a.m. CDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Pressure from medical experts and politicians on the federal and state level is building for a mandatory shelter-in-place order from Gov. Kim Reynolds who rejects such a move as unnecessary. The state is reporting 66 new cases for a total of 614 and two additional deaths, meaning 11 have died. Eli Percenevich, an epidemiologist physician overseeing infection prevention research at the University of Iowa, says the metrics Reynolds uses to decide her response isn’t staying ahead of the growth of infections and deaths. He joins Iowa Democratic legislative and congressional leaders in calling on Reynolds to issue a stay at home order.

JOHNSTON, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds is ordering schools to remain on recess through April 30 as part of her efforts to slow the spread of coronavirus. Reynolds says Thursday that keeping schools closed at least through April was needed as Iowa sees more cases of COVID-19, the illness caused by the virus. Reynolds says school districts have until April 30 to let state officials now how they plan to continue to provide educational opportunities to students. Districts may choose programs using distributed paper worksheets or online tools giving students credit or they may provide noncredit lessons. Those offering noncredit must make up lost instructional time beyond what hasn’t been waived by the Legislature.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Look for Powerball jackpots to get even smaller as the new coronavirus keeps more people at home, not out buying lottery tickets. It was only last week that the Powerball Product Group announced it would cut guaranteed jackpots in half and reduce the minimum amount the big prize could grow between drawings. On Thursday, the organization said it would toss out even those guarantees and instead decide new jackpots and increases prior to each drawing. The leaders of Mega Millions, the other national lottery game, haven’t said if they will make similar changes to that game.

SEYMOUR, Iowa (AP) — Officials in southern Iowa say hundreds of people gathered in Wayne County for a horse auction being held on private property, despite a state order limiting gatherings to fewer than 10 people. Des Moines television station KCCI reports that the Midwest Trotting Horse Sale was held Thursday near Seymour on the property of Ura Gingerich, after having first been postponed earlier in the month. The Wayne County Health Department set up checkpoints on the property to screen people before they could enter. Department officials say at least one carload of people was sent away after being questioned as part of the screening. The department says it counted nearly 500 people attending the auction.

The Iowa businesses that Governor Kim Reynolds ordered to close last month must remain closed during the month of April. “I am also ordering that school closures are extended through April 30th,” she says. “Keeping Iowa students out of classrooms is a very difficult decision — but it remains necessary for now.” Schools, by law, will have to make up classes missed AFTER April 12th unless they come up with plans to conduct classes online or by distributing, collecting and grading paper copies of homework.

“At this time I am not ordering schools to close for the remainder of the school year,” Reynolds says. “…That said, it is also important that Iowa schools do their part to provide continuous learning opportunities for their students and so many school districts have already taken the initiative to do just this.” School districts must submit their plans for virtual learning — or plans for summer school — to the state by April 10th.

“There are a number of ways that schools can continue to engage students during this time and it’s each district’s responsibility to do so,” Reynolds says. Iowa Department of Education director Ann Lebo says schools may have different plans for different grade levels. “The recommendation to close schools through April 30th was not made lightly and we know the challenges that this decision puts on our schools and families,” Lebo says. “During these unprecedented times, we remain focused on supporting our schools, families and community partners to ensure Iowa learners are safe healthy, engaged and prepared.”

Lebo says state officials understand that uniform, consistent access to WiFi is a barrier for online classes in some districts.  “We are working with Governor Reynolds, Iowa’s AEAs and other partners to coordinate efforts so resources are in place,” Lebo says. The governor praised Lebo and others for taking steps to “re-imagine” how schools may function during this difficult time. “It’s really important that we continue to engage students regardless of these extraordinary circumstances,” Reynolds says.

Legislative leaders announced this (Thursday) afternoon that the 2020 legislative session would remain suspended through April 30th. Lawmakers in mid-March had suspended the session until April 13. The 20-member Legislative Council will convene sometime next week by telephone or video to conduct some pressing business.

The Pottawattamie County Public Health Department, Thursday, reported another presumptive positive COVID-19 case. The total of presumptive positives for Pottawattamie County is six, two of which have recovered. The most recent case is a female between 61-80 years old and a resident of Council Bluffs. The individual has pre-existing medical
conditions with no recent travel and no identifiable contact with an existing case. Because the case is not traceable,

Public Health believes it to be a result of community spread. The individual is currently self-isolating at home. Pottawattamie County Public Health is in communication with the Iowa Department of Public Health and is considering this case to be of no risk to the public.

Additionally, all Pottawattamie County and City of Council Bluffs playgrounds have temporarily closed. County and City parks remain open, but gatherings of more than 10 people are prohibited. Officials from the Pottawattamie County COVID-19 Response Task Force are urging people to stay home as often as possible. When it’s necessary to go out,
practice social distancing and always stay 6 feet away from others.

The Task Force would like to publicly thank Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy (SIRE) in Council Bluffs for partnering with Pottawattamie County Public Health to make hand sanitizer available. Thanks to SIRE, 5,000 gallons of sanitizer (SIREitizer) will be distributed to hospitals, first responders, and City and County offices. SIREitizer will be available for
purchase when small bottles become available.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Look for Powerball jackpots to get even smaller as the new coronavirus keeps more people at home, not out buying lottery tickets. It was only last week that the Powerball Product Group announced it would cut guaranteed jackpots in half and reduce the minimum amount the big prize could grow between drawings.

On Thursday, the organization said it would toss out even those guarantees and instead decide new jackpots and increases prior to each drawing. The leaders of Mega Millions, the other national lottery game, haven’t said if they will make similar changes to that game.

To reduce health risks associated with COVID-19, officials with the United States Postal Service (USPS) say they are temporarily modifying customer signature capture procedures as part of a social distancing initiative.

A statement from USPS says “While maintaining a safe, appropriate distance, employees will request the customer’s first initial and last name so that the employee can enter the information on the electronic screen or hard copy items such as return receipts, PS Forms 3811 and 3829.

“For increased safety, employees will politely ask the customer to step back a safe distance or close the screen door/door so that they may leave the item in the mail receptacle or appropriate location by the customer door.”

In your Post Office, customers are being limited to 10 persons at a time. There may be lines on the floor in the lobby of your Post Office, to help customers maintain a 6-foot distance in the queue to the service desk. There may also be a plastic barrier or shield (like those found in grocery stores), to protect the employee and customer. Once you place you package on the desk or counter, the USPS retail associate will ask you to step back while they process your transaction.

The CDC (Centers for Disease Control & prevention), the World Health Organization (WHO) and Surgeon General, have all indicated there is currently NO EVIDENCE that COVID-19 is being spread through mail and packages.

SEYMOUR, Iowa (KCCI-TV) — Officials in southern Iowa say hundreds of people have gathered in Wayne County for a horse auction being held on private property, despite a state order limiting gatherings to fewer than 10 people. Des Moines television station KCCI reports that the Midwest Trotting Horse Sale was held Thursday near Seymour on the property of Ura Gingerich, after having first been postponed earlier in the month.

The Wayne County Health Department set up checkpoints on the property to screen people before they could enter. Department officials say at least one carload of people was sent away after being questioned as part of the screening. The department says it counted nearly 500 people attending the auction.