Pottawattamie County Public Health officials today (Monday), reported one new COVID-19 case in an elderly adults (someone over the age of 80), residing in Council Bluffs. The total number of COVID-19 cases in Pott. County is now 85, but the IDPH COVID-19 dashboard shows 86 cases. Officials say a Texas resident tested positive in Pottawattamie County, but lives in Texas, and has since returned to Texas. PCPH is currently working with the IDPH to correct the discrepancy.

Currently, 40 persons who tested positive for COVID-19 in Pott. County, are self-isolating. One is hospitalized, 41 have recovered, one moved out-of-state, and two have died.

The Audubon County Iowa Public Health Department today (Monday) announced the first death associated with novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the county. The individual was an elderly adult (80+). Robert Nelson Audubon County Public Health Director, said “We wish to extend our sympathy to this individual’s family. Audubon County Public Health and all of our key partners throughout the county and state continue to work to limit the spread and impact of this virus in our communities.”

All residents should:
• Stay home as much as possible. Leave only for essential errands like groceries or getting medication. When you run these errands, send only one person from the household, if possible.
• Stay home when even mildly ill (the kind of illness that normally wouldn’t prevent you from your everyday activities)
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow/upper arm.
• Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Wear a mask in public situations

HARLAN, Iowa (The Des Moines Register) — A psychological evaluation of a Kansas man who sought legal permission in Iowa to engage in a sword fight with his ex-wife has concluded that he’s not insane but merely angry over their child custody arrangement. David Ostrom asked a court in January to give him permission to fight Bridgette Ostrom and her attorney, Matthew Hudson. The Ostroms are embroiled in disputes over custody and visitation, and property tax payments. A judge suspended Ostrom’s visitation with his children and ordered a mental evaluation. The Des Moines Register reports that David Ostrom has asked the court to order psychological evaluations of his ex-wife and Hudson.

Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater says a Fontanelle man was arrested on numerous charges last week. 38-year old Michael Gail Steward was taken into custody on Adair County warrants for Assault while displaying a dangerous weapon, and five counts of Assault Causing Bodily Injury or Mental Illness. He was released the following day on a $7,000 cash only bond.

And, 33-year old Michael Eugene Matherly, of Greenfield, was arrested May 7th, on a Union County warrant for Harassment in the 3rd Degree, and Violation of a No Contact/or Protective Order – Contempt of Court. His was released on his Own Recognizance

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds said “Out of an abundance of caution,” she will follow a modified quarantine plan similar to that of Dr. Fauci and other White House Administration members are currently following. Reynolds was in the White House last Wednesday, and on Friday, in the presence Vice President Pence, Senators Grassley and Ernst. Reynolds learned this weekend that one of female aides had tested positive for COVID-19. The woman was present during Ernst’s visit to the White House, but had no direct contact with the Governor.

She says most of her team will be working from home now, especially if her staff or their family member has a health condition that puts them at a higher risk.

She said their routine may be slightly adjusted over the next few days to accommodate the situation.

Council Bluffs Police Capt. Todd Weddum said Monday (today), an Omaha man being held in the Douglas County, Nebraska Jail, was booked into the Pottawattamie County Jail this (Monday) morning, on charges of Attempted Murder of a Police Officer, Robbery in the 1st Degree, and Felon in Possession of a Firearm.

Jimmy J. Carr

Officer Michael Roberts

34-year old Jimmy J. Carr is accused of firing a handgun at Council Bluffs Police Officer Michael Roberts on May 2nd, as he was approached by the officer as Carr was allegedly attempting to commit a theft from the Bucky’s Gas station located at 3434 Nebraska Avenue, in Council Bluffs when the incident took place.

Officer Roberts, who was not injured during the incident, returned fire, hitting Carr. Carr suffered a gunshot to the left hip area and was taken to UNMC in Omaha, for treatment of a non-life threatening injury. He was discharged from the Nebraska Medical Center on May 4th.

Officer Roberts is a 22-year veteran of the Council Bluffs P-D. He has been on administrative leave since the incident.

The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) said Monday (Today), six more Iowans have died from COVID-19. That brings the total number of COVID-19 related deaths to 271. The IDPH reports 77, 292 people have been tested, with 12,373 (15.9%) cases coming back as positive for the virus.

5,249 Iowans have recovered from the virus. The actual number of infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick.

Two additional COVID-19 outbreaks were reported at LTC’s (Long Term Care facility), for a total of 32. The latest report indicated 1,100 positive cases were found in staff and patients at those communities.

In southwest Iowa, the COVID-19 database shows the following positive cases of the virus in these counties:

Crawford County: 191
Pottawattamie County: 86
Guthrie County: 35
Shelby County: 19
Harrison County: 17
Audubon & Page Counties: 10 each
Montgomery County: 4
Mills County: 8 cases
Adair County: 3
Union County: 2

(More info. here: https://coronavirus.iowa.gov/pages/case-counts)

The IDPH shows:

394 patients hospitalized with COVID-19
152 are in an ICU
25 were admitted to a hospital over the previous 24-hours.
The number of patients on ventilators was 107.

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds’ Monday press conference on COVID-19. We plan on bringing you live audio of the presser on KJAN as well. The press conference is set to begin at approximately 11:00 a.m.

(Radio Iowa) — Bloomberg News is reporting that the state medical director is self-isolating after her visit to the White House last Wednesday. Citing White House sources, Bloomberg News is also reporting Governor Kim Reynolds MAY self-isolate. Iowa officials are not responding to requests for comment. Dr Caitlin Pedati — the state medical director — sat in on a meeting of the president’s coronavirus task force. The task force is led by Vice President Pence. Pence’s press secrerary tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday.

National public health officials on the task force are self-isolating and Pedati is reportedly doing so as well. Reynolds was with Pence Friday, greeting the vice president at the Des Moines airport, accompanying him to a meeting at an Urbandale church and participating with Pence in a panel discussion at HyVee headquarters Friday afternoon.

The governor will hold a news conference at 11 a.m. this morning.