(Des Moines, Iowa) – The Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) issues updated guidance for childcare settings. The updated guidance was developed in close consultation with the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH). The health and safety of children, family and childcare providers is of the utmost importance. Childcare programs provide an essential support for working families. At this critical time, officials say the need is to ensure childcare for essential workforce, including healthcare, first responders and critical infrastructure, which includes food production, food service and grocery workers.

They recommend social distancing for all ages, as such DHS encourages parents who telecommute to keep their children home with them. DHS also encourages childcare settings to limit rooms to 10 individuals per room when possible, and to increase space between children. Recess, activities and hallway passing should be staggered to limit interactions.

There are a lot of considerations that factor into this guidance. DHS originally provided guidance to ensure best practices to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Today (Friday), they issued updated guidance to take further steps.

Their guidance aims to do the following:

• Increase sanitation practices and provide robust hygiene protocols.
• Prescreen children and staff before entering the program.
• Implement best practices for social distancing to the extent possible and minimize large groups and all optional activities.
• Report clusters of absences and any confirmed cases associated with families receiving childcare.
• Please see the updated guidance here.

Beyond supporting existing infrastructure, DHS is also committed to standing up emergency regulations to support community efforts to provide childcare to essential workforce. If you need access to childcare, please visit https://iowaccrr.org/families/ or call 1-855-244-5301 to help coordinate alternate sites.

All childcare providers should report available slots to CCR&R daily, or as frequently as possible. This will help ensure access for essential workforce.

GUIDANCE MAY CHANGE:
Please visit the DHS COVID-19 Guidance for Childcare Webpage for the most up-to-date information. DHS is compiling all COVID-19 DHS resources in one place at www.dhs.iowa.gov/covid19.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate has rescheduled three upcoming special elections to take place this summer as part of efforts to avoid crowds of people gathering and possibly spreading the new coronavirus. Pate says the elections will now be held on July 7.

They include special elections in Cedar Falls and Craig to fill city county vacancies and one in Woodbury County to fill a Board of Supervisors vacancy. Pate says he consulted with the auditors of all three counties before rescheduling the elections. He says July 7 is the first date available for the elections.

(Washington, D.C) (AP) – The Trump administration says states can cancel federally required school testing this year if it’s necessary to protect students and teachers. It’s a measure some states had requested as they shut down schools over the coronavirus pandemic.

President Donald Trump also announced Friday that federal student loan holders can get their payments paused for 60 days if they submit a request with their loan servicing company. It adds to Trump’s earlier promise to suspend loan interest during that period, which is being done automatically.

In announcing the decision to lift testing requirements, Trump said students have already “been through a lot” this year.

(Radio Iowa) — State officials will release a report next Friday, but Iowa Workforce Development director Beth Townsend offers a glimpse of the huge increase in jobless claims as businesses shut down during the COVID-19 outbreak. “We are seeing an unprecedented number of claims…It’s pretty staggering,” Townsend says. “Essentially what we’re receiving on a daily basis is what we’d see in a month.”

The Iowa Restaurant Association warns the jobs for as many as 80-thousand Iowans in that industry are in jeopardy due to the unprecedented closure of bars and restaurants. Townsend says her agency’s goal is to get an unemployment check to most every eligible Iowan no more than 10 days after they file their claim.

“We are working very hard to lessen the financial impact of the temporary loss of income due to COVID-19-related layoffs,” Townsend says. The requirement that Iowans receiving unemployment benefits actively search for other jobs has been temporarily waived during this emergency period as well.

“If you are laid off due to COVID-19, if you need to stay home to self-isolate or to care for family members or children due to illness related to COVID-19 or because of school and daycare closures, you can receive unemployment benefits provided you meet the other eligibility requirements,” Townsend says.

Governor Kim Reynolds says later today (Friday) her staff will release details about alternative child care facilities for the children of health care workers and first responders. A middle aged patient from Allamakee County is the latest positive case of COVID-19 in Iowa. About a third of the cases in Iowa so far have been in the 41 to 60 age range and nearly half are over the age of 60.

Governor Reynolds issued an Emergency Declaration related to the COVID-19 Virus. The Union County Sheriff’s Office says “During this Proclamation (for State purposes only) it is legal to carry past the date of expiration. However, if purchasing a firearm and the permit is over 5 years from Date of Issue (when the NICS – National Instant Criminal Background Check System – check was ran), a new NICS check will need to be ran by the FFL at point of sale because federal law requires a NICS check within the past 5 years.

The Governor also removed the requirement for Counties to accept applications by personal delivery. Union County is still accepting personal delivery of applications, however, during the Proclamation, and will also be accepting applications by mail.

When mailing either the Application for Iowa Permit to Carry Weapons (New $50 or Renew $25) or the Application for Permit to Acquire a Pistol or Revolver ($25) (both can be found on the State’s website), please include a check or money order made out to the Union County Sheriff’s Office.

New Permit to Carry applicants need to include a copy of their training certificate or DD214. Mail to: Union County Sheriff’s Office, 302 N Pine St, Creston, IA 50801.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is providing this important information about COVID-19 as it relates to public drinking water to provide clarity to the public. The COVID-19 virus has not been detected in drinking water supplies. Based on current evidence, the risk to water supplies is very low.

Disinfection methods used in drinking water treatment plants are effective for inactivation of coronaviruses and all other viruses. Iowans can continue to use and drink water from their tap as usual.  The Iowa DNR recommends obtaining your potable water from your tap as much as possible to conserve bottled water for emergency situations if needed.

Stay up to date on the latest news regarding coronavirus with the World Health Organization (WHO), U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH).

Atlantic, IA — Cass County Health System is rapidly adapting to meet the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Officials say every effort is being made to protect the health CCHS patients and staff, while also best utilizing the available resources to prepare for a surge of patients.

COVID-19 TESTING:
Patients who are coming to CCHS for new respiratory illness and potential COVID-19 testing are being cared for in an isolated area of Atlantic Medical Center.

WEEKEND CARE:
· Patients needing care related to COVID-19: Care is available from 10 am – 6 pm Saturday and Sunday. Call 712-243-2850 and press 1 before coming to CCHS.
· For all other patients: Walk-in care at AMC from 8 am to noon on Saturday for acute illnesses only.
· Emergency Department: Open 24/7.
· AMC Rapid Care has been suspended until further notice.

TEMPORARY HOURS:
AMC hours are now 7 am – 7 pm Monday through Thursday, 8 am to 5 pm Friday. Saturdays (acute care) from 8 am to noon. Walk-in care is available Monday-Saturday. This is a temporary change until further notice.

EYE ASSOCIATES:
Eye Associates will see emergent patients by appointment only; otherwise the office is closed. Phone calls will be answered during regular business hours.

VISITING HOURS:
Our inpatient visiting hours are now 7 am to 9 pm.

POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE:
· Senior Life Solutions
· Cardiac Rehab
· Routine colonoscopies
· Cataract surgeries

Please stay up to date with KJAN or check casshealth.org/covid-19 for CCHS related news.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa is seeing a “staggering” number of claims for unemployment benefits as the coronavirus pummels the state and national economy. Officials say the daily number of unemployment claims being filed is similar to what the state would usually receive in a busy month.

The job losses are piling up as Iowa has taken moves to limit the spread of the virus by ordering the closure of restaurants, bars and other gathering spots and encouraged people to stay at home.

Because of that, Gov. Kim Reynolds on Friday signed a state emergency declaration designed to offer an array of relief to Iowa residents.

A Special, electronically transmitted meeting of the Audubon School Board will take place 7-p.m. Monday. The Board will take action on a Resolution for a Pandemic Response and Emergency Suspension of Policy, and receive an update on District efforts to that effect, so far.

And, while members of the public may be allowed to attend the meeting in-person, it will be limited to 10 participants, with preference going to Board members and other people necessary to conducting the meeting.

Members of the public are strongly encouraged to attend via Zoom using the link https://zoom.us/j/955752749 .

As we’ve mentioned previously, businesses and organizations are urged to donate personal protective equipment, or PPE, by contacting their local public health department and the county emergency management agency.

To donate PPE:

For Guthrie County –Drop off will be at the GC Public Health Office but you will need to call ahead as the doors are locked. Their phone number is (641) 747-3972.

For Adair County –Drop off at Greenfield Lumber at 107 NE 6thStreet | Greenfield during regular business hours.For more information please visit: www.adairguthriecountycovid.org