(Radio Iowa) — The governor’s moratorium on evictions is set to expire next week. “We’re looking at a couple of different scenarios on how we move forward with that to make sure that we’re not removing that too soon as we being to open up our economy,” Reynolds says, “and help Iowans get the skills to fill some of the jobs that are available as we begin to move forward.”

One idea, from the Iowa Economic Development Authority, would provide grants to apartment OWNERS who have unemployed tenants who lost their jobs due to the pandemic. Another part of the governor’s proclamation that expires next week forbid utility shut-offs. Reynolds says she’s still reviewing all aspects of the closures and restrictions that she ordered this spring that remain in place through May 27th.

(Radio Iowa) — State officials say there are TWO cases in eastern Iowa of a rare illness among children that’s likely linked to COVID-19. Dr. Caitlin Pedati, the state medical director, says it’s called “multi-system inflammatory syndrome.” “This is something we’re following very closely in order to learn more about,” Pedati says. Children in Iowa and elsewhere have made up a small number of reported cases of COVID-19. “Thankfully, reports of children becoming seriously ill are very rare,” Pedati says. “However, late last week the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shared a message alerting health providers and public health professionals to this new kind of inflammatory syndrome that seems to be associated with COVID-19.”

Symptoms include fever and inflammation throughout the body. “Now, like with so many things with this response, this is an example of a place where we need to learn more,” Pedati says. Iowa doctors and hospitals in Iowa are now required to report suspected cases to the state. Public health officials in New York have identified 100 cases of this new syndrome there and national media reports indicate three children in New York have died.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Advocates are raising money to pay for the burial of a 36-year-old Congolese refugee who died of the coronavirus earlier this month in Des Moines.Embarc Iowa, a refugee services organization, said that Wiuca Iddi Wiuca died May 4 after a sudden illness and two weeks in the hospital.The group says advocates need to raise thousands of dollars to have Wiuca buried this week at an Ankeny cemetery, adding that a traditional burial in the Congolese community is extremely important.

Wiuca leaves behind two adult siblings who, like him, were resettled to Des Moines last year from a refugee camp in Tanzania. They had fled war in Congo in 1996.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Regulators declined to inspect an Iowa pork plant after receiving a complaint alleging insufficient efforts were being made to halt the spread of the coronavirus. One state senator says that decision failed workers and allowed an outbreak to grow. An April 11 complaint to the Iowa Occupational Safety and Health Administration says employees at the Tyson Foods plant in Perry, Iowa, worked “elbow to elbow” and that social distancing was near impossible.

Records show Iowa OSHA waited nine days before contacting Tyson, which took eight days to respond. The agency described Tyson’s voluntary safety efforts as “satisfactory.” A week later, the state announced 730 workers tested positive.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — As businesses across the state are beginning to reopen, Goodwill of Central Iowa has announced plans to permanently close four retail store as well as a career center. The nonprofit organization said last week it had permanently closed stores in Grinnell, Oskaloosa, Waukee and south Des Moines because of the financial hardship of restrictions imposed in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

Goodwill has opened stores in Ames, Ankeny, Des Moines, Johnston, Indianola, Marshalltown, Ottumwa, Urbandale and two stores in West Des Moines. The organization also has closed the south Des Moines outlet and career connection center.

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, today (Monday) said 103,148 Iowans have been tested for COVID-19. Officials reported 304 new positive cases and 4 deaths. That brings the statewide total to 14,955 positive cases and 355 deaths. Reynolds said 7,324 have recovered, for a recovery rate of 49%, and hospitalizations continued to remain relatively flat for the past week. With that having been said, according to the Governor, Iowa “continues the trend in right direction to recovery,” with regard to COVID-19.

(She said that validates the time is right to move into the “recovery” phase of COVID-19.”)

The latest data shows there are currently 382 patients hospitalized, with 121 listed in intensive care. IDPH reported 47 patients admitted in the last 24 hours, with 85 patients on ventilators. IDPH reported 3,810 inpatient beds available, with 483 ICU beds available. There are currently 732 ventilators available. There are COVID-19 outbreaks reported in 36 of Iowa’s long-term care facilities. That number is down from 37 reported on Sunday. Reynolds said regardless of whether Iowans choose to resume their normal activities or choose to wait, only you know what’s best for your family. There is no mandate for businesses to re-open at a limited capacity, she said, or for Iowans to anything they’re not ready to do.

She said Iowa is at a point where “We can and must strike a balance between managing virus activity for the long-term, and getting our economy up and running again.”

The Governor said also, the State’s COVID-019 database is being updated to provide more timely information.

She said also, that a new, dedicated call center for TestIowa is open.

The number is available on the TestIowa.com website. Any other questions related to COVID-19 may be addressed by calling 2-1-1.

Atlantic Police and Medivac Ambulance responded at around 10-a.m. today, to a single-vehicle rollover accident. The incident happened on 22^nd Street.  One person was transported by private vehicle to the hospital, to be checked out. Additional details were not immediately available.