On May 19, Pottawattamie County Public Health (PCPH) reported 11 new COVID-19 cases. One of the cases is a child (0-17), four of the cases are 18-40 years old, five are 41-60 years old, and one is 61-80 years old. These individuals were tested between May 9 and May 18. Thus far, 2,121 Pottawattamie County residents have been tested for COVID-19, and a total of 182 have tested positive.

An additional 12 people have recovered bringing the total of recoveries to 86. Currently, four individuals are hospitalized, 88 individuals are self-isolating. Based on PCPH contact tracing investigations, a total of 57 Pottawattamie County COVID-19 cases are the result of community spread.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds is considering whether to allow additional activities to resume as her current proclamation prohibiting large gatherings and operation of some businesses expires next Wednesday. Reynolds recently allowed restaurants, fitness centers, malls and hair salons to reopen with limits but she continued the closure for many other businesses. They include bars, casinos, movie theaters and amusement parks.

Reynolds said Tuesday she’ll make some announcements on Wednesday and more next week. State data shows more than 300 new positive coronavirus cases and 12 additional deaths bringing the state totals to 15,296 known positive cases and 367 deaths.

(Radio Iowa) — Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate is distributing a half a million dollars in federal grant money to county auditors, to help with the expense of safety measures for the June 2nd Primary. Pate, who is chairman of the National Association of Secretaries of State, says all states were offered this kind of federal financial support for primaries.

Pate has redirected money in his office budget to come up with the state “matching” funds needed to qualify for the federal grants. Last week, Iowa National Guard soldiers delivered masks, gloves and hand sanitizer for use at polling places on June 2. Pate’s office has also sent social distancing markers and face shields to all 99 counties for use at the polls. Pate has encouraged Iowans to vote early, with an absentee ballot, but those who wish may still vote at a polling place on June 2nd.

Pate cautions, though, that with fewer Primary Day polling places and all the public health precautions of the pandemic — like fewer voting booths at each location — it will take longer than five minutes to vote. Pate made his comments on the “Iowa Press” program on Iowa P-B-S.

Montgomery County has added serology testing to its options as part the county’s effort to continue to prevent, detect and mitigate the spread of COVID-19. According to Montgomery County Public Health Administrator, Samantha Beeson, “There’s an increasing number of test types being on-boarded in Iowa including in Montgomery County. “There are two main categories of testing, PCR testing and serology testing. A positive PCR test indicates a current COVID-19 infection, while a positive serology test indicates a past or recent COVID-19 infection. Both types of testing help us understand the spread of COVID-19 in our community.”

Serology tests look for a antibodies, which are specific proteins made in response to infections. Antibodies can be found in the blood of people who are tested after infection and show that people have had an immune response to the infection. Antibody test results are especially important for detecting previous infections with few or no symptoms. Find more information on serology testing here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/lab/serologytesting.html

To date, Montgomery County has had five (5) positive PCR COVID-19 tests, and one (1) positive serology test as this new type of testing comes online. Both types of testing results are displayed at the state’s coronavirus website, www.coronavirus.iowa.gov. The state’s medical director, Dr. Caitlin Pedati, also spoke about serology testing today during the Governor’s news conference. “Serology testing will be another tool in helping us fight COVID-19 and contain the spread of this disease,” said Beeson.

(Radio Iowa) — State officials will start identifying child care centers where there are outbreaks of COVID-19. Iowa Department of Human Services director Kelly Garcia says new guidelines require child care providers to report positive cases of the virus among children and staff.  “We’re balancing both the public health aspects and the overall well- being of children,” Garcia says. ” We also know how important is acceptable child care is to help parents return to work or continue to work.”

On May 15, the state’s criteria for qualifying for a COVID-19 test was changed, so children who go to child care and child care center employees may get tested if they had coronavirus symptoms that were not diagnosed as something else. Garcia says once an outbreak is identified, a child care provider will be asked to close anywhere from two days to up to two weeks, depending on the number of children who are enrolled.

The Iowa Department of Public Health reports the trend in COVID-19 testing in Iowa has increased, at the same time the number of positive cases continues on a downward trend. The latest data show 107,196 Iowans have been tested, including more than 3,500 within the past 24-hours.

The number of positive cases amounts to 15,296 (14.3%), which is seven less than the previous report. Over 91,640 Iowans have tested Negative for COVID-19. Officials say 7, 847 Iowans have recovered from the virus, and there have been 367 deaths to date. The number of deaths has held steady over the past few days.

The number of patients hospitalized has also held steady, at five. Three COVID-19 patients are in an ICU. No COVID-19 patients were admitted to a hospital over the last report, which is also unchanged.

In her press conference today (Tuesday) Governor Kim Reynolds said many parents are struggling child care issues as they prepare to return to work. Iowa Department of Human Service Director Kelly Garcia, who is working from home and is a mother to children, said the DHS has taken steps to help support child care providers and ensuring the safety of all children in Iowa.

(They’ve issued “Robust guidance” for child care providers with strong emphasis on hygiene and clear reporting protocols. Updated guidance will be released later with regard to summer camps.)

There will also be guidance for parents to help them identify safe, good programs for the Summer.

More information about childcare availability and guidelines are available at dhs.ia.gov.

The Exira-EHK School Board met Monday evening and held a Public Hearing on a Possible Early Start Calendar for the 2020-21 School Year. Superintendent Trevor Miller said he’s shared the calendar with the Board and Public prior to the hearing, and there were no comments in opposition.

(He said it’s an option the State still needs to approve, but assuming it is okayed, the first day of school would be Aug. 12.)

Miller said there were no changes in the fees this coming school year, other than those which were mandated by the government for a 10-cent increase on adult lunch meals and 5-cents to the breakfast meals.

And, the Exira-EHK Board approved some staff new hires.

(The Board approved the hiring of a husband & wife Spanish Exchange couple, pending approval of travel to the U-S. The Audubon School Board also approved the couple during their meeting on Monday. Also, Courtney Peppers was hired as Assistant Softball Coach.)

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — A 33-year-old Cedar Rapids man has been sentenced to 26 years in prison after admitting that he knowingly infected two women and one minor with HIV. Lamont James pleaded guilty Monday to six charges before he was sentenced. James admitted that he had physical contact with a 13-year-old girl and had sex with three women while he had HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

The young girl and two of the women were infected while the third woman was not. James pleaded guilty to two counts of assault while participating in a felony, and four counts of criminal transmission of an infectious or contagious disease.