(Radio Iowa) — Iowa National Guard soldiers and airmen stationed in northwest Iowa are joining forces to be ready to respond to the coronavirus pandemic. Soldiers from the Army National Guard’s 2nd Brigade 34th Infantry Combat Team are joining airmen from the 185th Air Refueling Wing to establish Joint Task Force West at the Air Guard facility in Sioux City.

Army Major Matt Parrino says it’s unique of the three military task forces in Iowa that are responding. “The other two task forces are strictly Army headquarters,” Parrino says. “This is the only joint task force in Iowa currently where Air and Army are working together to become a staff to execute the same operational settings and missioning that the rest of the state is.”

The joint operations center in Sioux City will provide planning, logistics and coordination support to COVID-19 response efforts in western Iowa. Parrino say it will also facilitate a faster response capability, as needed.  “So far, the typical missions that we’ve seen, they have been providing tents, taking a look at planning, regional planning for medical facilities and where we may have some expertise and some assets that can help them be better prepared,” he says.

Parrino says there are certain types of military vehicles that are available for deployment where necessary. “We have field ambulances that we could leverage if we needed to,” Parrino says. “Currently, they’re not necessarily getting tasked at this point. It’s pretty much just getting ready if we were needed.” Soldiers from other units have delivered more than 280 pallets of urgently-needed medical supplies to more than 90 of Iowa’s 99 counties.

Similar Iowa National Guard operations centers are now active at Camp Dodge in Johnston and in Iowa City.

(Radio Iowa) — Tyson Foods has suspended production at its Columbus Junction pork processing plant.  The company released a statement saying they’ve identified two dozen cases of COVID-19 involving team members at the plant in Muscatine County. The company headquartered in Arkansas and says it is experiencing varying levels of production impact due to additional worker-safety precautions and worker absenteeism.

Muscatine County had 41 cases of COVID-19 reported as of Monday — with 52 in nearby Scott County. Tyson says they will divert the livestock supply originally scheduled for delivery to Columbus Junction to its other pork plants in the region. Tyson has other Iowa plants in Waterloo and Storm Lake

Officials with Crossroads of Western Iowa have announced the acquisition of Ida Services Inc. (ISI) of Battle Creek, Iowa. Crossroads of Western Iowa and ISI share a mission of serving and empowering individuals with disabilities. Both organizations have been caring for the community for over 40 years. By joining forces, Crossroads says it can better meet community needs across the region.

As of April 1, ISI inherits the “Crossroads of Western Iowa” name. Crossroads of Western Iowa offers Supported Community Living, Employment Services, and Day Habilitation Programs in Pottawattamie, Cass, Harrison, Monona, Woodbury, and Cherokee counties — and now Ida County.

Crossroads CEO Brent Dillinger says “This is an exciting opportunity for Crossroads. With this acquisition and the coronavirus pandemic, we want to assure you all that we will continue striving to offer our clients the best services to achieve independence and improve their quality of life. We are excited for this partnership.”

“Through this pairing,” Dillinger says, “Crossroads and ISI can serve and empower more individuals and families with our life-changing work.”

The Union County Sheriff’s Office says a woman from Creston reported Sunday afternoon, that someone gained entry to a structure at 205 S. Dodge Street, in Afton. Inside, fire extinguishers were set-off, and a door was damaged. The damage was estimated at $100 altogether.

(12-p.m. News)

To encourage further social distancing and mitigation efforts, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds’proclamation orders additional closures effective at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 7th until Thursday, April 30th. That includes:

• Malls
• Tobacco or vaping stores
• Toy, gaming, music, instrument, movie, or adult entertainment stores
• Social and fraternal clubs, including those at golf courses
• Bingo halls, bowling alleys, pool halls, arcades, and amusement parks
• Museums, libraries, aquariums, and zoos
• Race tracks and speedway.
• Roller or ice skating rinks and skate parks
• Outdoor or indoor playgrounds or children’s play centers
• Campgrounds

In addition, all unsolicited door-to-door sales are prohibited.

The following establishments and behaviors that are already prohibited:

• Mass gatherings as outlined in the proclamation below…
• Restaurants and bars limited to carry out.
• Fitness centers
  Swimming pools
• Salons: All salons, including all establishments providing the services of cosmetology, electrology, esthetics, nail technology, manicuring, and pedicuring, all as defined in Iowa Code § 157.1, shall continue to be closed.
• Medical spas
• Barbershops
• Tattoo establishments
• Tanning facilities
• Massage therapy establishments
• Theaters: All theaters or other performance venues at which live performances or motion pictures are shown shall continue to be closed.
• Casinos and gaming facilities:
• Other nonessential retail establishments outlined in the proclamation: Bookstores; clothing stores; shoe stores; jewelry stores; luggage stores; cosmetic, beauty, or perfume stores; florists; and furniture and home furnishing stores shall continue to be closed. These establishments may still serve the public through online or telephone sales, delivery, or curb-side pick-up. This closure order does not affect other retail establishments, such as discount stores, grocery stores, or pharmacies that sell these goods in addition to other essential food, medical supplies, and household goods.
• Senior citizen centers and adult daycare facilities:  All facilities that conduct adult day services or other senior citizen centers are hereby closed.
• Social, community, spiritual, religious, recreational, leisure, and sporting gatherings and events of more than 10 people are hereby prohibited at all locations and venues, including but not limited to parades, festivals, conventions, and fundraisers
• Livestock auctions of food animals with more than 25 people and all other auctions with more than 10 people are prohibited.

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds held her daily press briefing today earlier than normal, and will continue to do so each weekday at 11-a.m. During her update this morning, she said “Iowa’s fight against COVID-19 is real…and the last week has been especially hard.” (To listen, click on the left side of an audio bar below)

The Governor said since Sunday’s report, there have been 78 new positive case, four new counties for a total of 946 people who have tested positivee in 75 counties. 680 have tested negative, for a total of 10,653. There are 99 people who remain hospitalized, 284 who are recovering at home, and three new deaths from COVID-19.

(The death toll is now 25 in Iowa)

She says the coming week be equally, if not more difficult, especially among older adults above 60, and those with chronic diseases. 10% of the positive cases are among residents and staff of long-term care facilities. 48% of deaths are residents of those same facilities.

The Governor also issued new restrictions aimed at mitigating the spread of the virus, on certain businesses through April 30^th.

All limitations on social gatherings, she said, will also be enforced. Department of Public Safety Commissioner Stephan K. Baynes said the Governor will be issuing guidance to local law enforcement across the state on their role in how to enforce the various declarations of the disaster emergency.

Baynes said “Law enforcement will take reasoned and measured steps if we are forced to do so.

He said also, “Should personal responsibility fail, law enforcement will always seek first to educate the public on the law and the need for it.”

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Police have identified a woman who investigators believe was intentionally run down by a driver and killed as she walked her dog in Des Moines neighborhood. Police say 38-year-old Lauren Rice and her dog, Holiday, were killed in the Sunday morning incident. Officers found Rice and the dog dead at the scene.

Police say a pickup truck driven by 49-year-old Jason Robert Sassman jumped a curb, crashed through a utility pole and drove through several yards before hitting Rice and the dog. Police say Sassman continued on in the truck until it became disabled, then fled on foot before he was arrested. He’s charged with first-degree murder and animal neglect.

Atlantic, IA — Atlantic Medical Center, RHC (AMC) offers walk-in care six days a week, appointments five days a week, and now offers telehealth appointments for patients via smart phone, tablet, or home computer. CCHS Chief Administrator Tammy Bireline said today (Monday), “We are committed to making sure our community has access to healthcare when they need it. We’re thrilled to offer telehealth appointments in addition to our walk-in care and traditional appointments. Yes, we’re in the midst of a pandemic, but for most people, we still have routine medical needs, many of which can’t wait. Telehealth is the perfect bridge between getting the health care you need and being able to stay at home.”

Over the past week, multiple AMC providers have piloted telehealth appointments with patients. Dr. Elaine Berry says “The providers and patients are very happy with the way that telehealth visits have gone so far. The actual process is amazingly easy to use.”  All providers at Atlantic Medical Center, RHC or its satellite locations, can see patients via telehealth. While telehealth isn’t the right choice for all appointments, it is a great option for patients who are due for follow-up care, patients who have chronic health issues, patients who need prescription refills, or very minor acute issues such as rashes, pink eye, small wounds, etc.

According to Bireline, “Patients can call and ask to schedule a telehealth appointment, or some providers may recommend it.”  Patients will need to use a smart phone, tablet, or computer that has a camera, microphone, and speakers. If patients have a home blood pressure machine or oximeter, they should have those close at hand in case they are needed during the telehealth appointment. When the appointment is scheduled, admissions staff will verify either a mobile phone number or an email address for the patient. The patient will then receive either text or email instructions.

Most insurance companies will pay for telehealth visits in the same manner that they pay for a regular office visit, and your usual copayments or coinsurance will apply. For prenatal appointments and well child visits, the Anita and Griswold Medical Centers are designated well-care clinics staffed by Dr. Angela Weppler and Jessica Jackson, ARNP. Tammy Birleine said also, “These clinics continue to go well, and it’s a great way to make sure kids are staying on track with their check-ups and immunizations. While school is out, this is also a good time to use the well-care clinics to get kindergarten physicals done.”

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A beloved teacher and coach at a Catholic school in Iowa City has died of the coronavirus.Regina High School announced Saturday the death of longtime physical education teacher John DeMarco, 73. Alumni say DeMarco, of Coralville, tested positive for the virus and received treatment at two hospitals in Iowa City before his death.

The Iowa Department of Public Health announced Sunday that an “older adult” between 61 and 80 was Johnson County’s first death tied to the pandemic.Students and alumni at Regina say that was DeMarco, who was known as “Coach D” and had been a fixture there since his arrival in 1981

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds’ daily press conferences on the COVID-19 pandemic will now be held at 11:00 a.m. each day. The new time will more closely match up with the most recent information released on numbers from health officials.

Below is the YouTube feed that will provide the press conference live at 11:00 a.m. We also will bring you live audio of the presser on KJAN.