IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A major nursing home for veterans has reported its first two COVID-19 cases, which is a worrying development on a day in which cases hit a new daily high in the state. The home’s commandant says one resident tested positive Friday and another Saturday during mass testing at the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown. He says they were transferred immediately to the VA hospital in Des Moines for precautionary care.

Iowa reported Saturday that 648 more individuals have tested positive for the coronavirus, smashing the daily record set Friday of 521 even though hundreds fewer tests were completed. The total number of positive cases as of today (Saturday), is 5,092. There have been an additional 1,730 negative tests for a total of 29,258 negative tests to date, which includes testing reported by the State Hygienic Lab and other labs.

The number of positive cases will continue to grow as Test Iowa sites open and additional surveillance testing of large businesses and nursing home staff continues.  According to IDPH, an additional 5 deaths were also reported, 293 are currently hospitalized, and 1,723 Iowans have recovered. At this time, 1 in 91 Iowans have already been tested.

According to IDPH the additional 5 deaths were reported in the following counties:

• Black Hawk County, 1 middle-age adult (41-60 years)
• Johnson County, 1 older adult (61-80 years)
• Polk County, 1 older adult (61-80 years), 1 elderly adult (81+)
• Scott County, 1 elderly adult (81+)

Note: A previously identified case in Clinton County upon further investigation is a resident of Illinois.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Now that Iowa’s governor will allow elective surgeries to resume next week, one of the state’s largest hospitals said it’s preparing to do so under conditions that will be the “new normal.” Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds said Friday that her first step in reopening Iowa’s economy after a lengthy shutdown caused by the coronavirus includes allowing elective surgeries to resume starting Monday.

Her proclamation also allows farmers markets to resume. University of Iowa Health Care said in a statement that while elective procedures will resume Friday, it will hardly be a return to normal.

CHARLES CITY, Iowa (AP) — One person is dead after fire broke out at a home in northeastern Iowa. The Charles City Fire Department said the blaze was reported about 2:20 a.m. Saturday. Arriving firefighters found heavy smoke and determined the fire was confined to the kitchen area. The victim was found during a search of the home. Fire officials say the victim was alone in the home.

An investigation determined that the fire was likely caused by cooking materials overheating.

More details have been released on an accident that occurred in Cass County on Friday morning. Two people were injured in the crash that occurred at 10:51 a.m. on Interstate 80 at mile-marker 64 eastbound.

The Iowa State Patrol reports that a 2002 Chrysler Town & Country van driven by 52-year-old Barbara Brinson of Cedar Rapids was eastbound on I-80 in the right lane. A 2020 Freightliner TT driven by 33-year-old Harl Heydenreich of Glendale, AZ merged onto I-80 from Exit 64 eastbound. Brinson’s vehicle approached Heydenreich from behind and merged over to the left lane to pass but for unknown reasons lost control and hit the semi. The van entered the east ditch and came to rest. The Freightliner was able to pull off onto the shoulder.

Brinson and a passenger 60-year-old Forzay Wilson of Cedar Rapids suffered unknown injuries in the accident. Wilson was taken to UNMC in Omaha by Lifenet helicopter. Brinson was taken to Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic by Anita Rescue.

The Iowa State Patrol was assisted at the scene by Anita Rescue, Iowa DOT Motor Vehicle Enforcement, Medivac, and Cass County Fire and Rescue.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest of a Griswold man early this morning following a traffic incident. At approximately 1:30 a.m. Deputies arrested 20-year-old Brandon Misner of Griswold for OWI 1st Offense. Misner’s vehicle was found stuck in a corn field north of the roadway in the 3200 block of 110th Street. Misner was taken to the Montgomery County Jail and booked in on $1,000.