Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds says the state’s $26 million contract with Utah companies to increase coronavirus testing was developed after she acted on a tip from actor Ashton Kutcher. Kutcher says he was simply using his tech connections to offer a creative solution that could help his native state. Kutcher pitched the governor on a Utah program launched this month to increase testing, saying it looked promising. Kutcher said that one of his good friends is a tech executive who was involved in TestUtah, and he put him in touch with the governor. Aides to Reynolds soon followed up with Utah government officials and TestIowa was launched on Tuesday.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Ethanol producer ADM says it is idling production at its corn ethanol plants in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Columbus, Nebraska, furloughing 90 employees in each facility for at least four months. The company says low consumer demand for gasoline also has dramatically cut demand for corn-based ethanol which is blended into gasoline. The company said it is focusing on cash flow and diverting some of its resources to other products that are in higher demand, such as alcohol for hand sanitizer. The plants each have a capacity of about 300 million gallons a year, among the largest plants of their type in the nation.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Nearly 28,000 more people filed initial unemployment claims last week in Iowa as the state’s economy continued to take a hit from efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Iowa Workforce Deveopment reported Thursday that another 27,912 people filed unemployment claims during the week ending April 18. That’s down from claims filed in previous weeks but still far above typical numbers before many businesses closed to fight COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus. There were 151,846 continuing unemployment claims. Nationally, more than 4.4 million workers applied for unemployment benefits last week, In the last five weeks, about 26 million people have now filed for jobless aid.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Dozens of U.S. meat-processing plants have been forced to close temporarily as the industry struggles to contain the spread of the coronavirus among employees who often stand side-by-side while cutting and packaging beef, pork and poultry. Giant slaughterhouses that employ thousands of people are designed to have workers close together, making it difficult to adhere to social distancing guidelines that advise people to stay 6 feet apart. Even as companies take steps to protect workers, industry experts say it’s nearly impossible to eliminate all risk of catching the virus and they note safety measures have been adopted unevenly.

Officials with Pottawattamie County Public Health have reported two new cases of Covid-19, bringing the total number of case positives to 20. Seventeen patients have recovered from the virus, two are self-isolating at home, and as we’ve previously mentioned, there was one death.

The two latest cases are persons 41-to 60 years of age. One is a male, the other female. One had pre-existing conditions and contact with an existing Covid-19 case. The other has no pre-existing conditions and no contact with an existing case. They were tested on April 18th and 20th, respectively. Both are self-isolating at home. Health officials are conducting contact tracing investigations, and are in communication with the IDPH.

Atlantic, IA— On April 12, it was announced that a case of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) had been confirmed in Cass County. Cass County Public Health is happy to announce that the patient has recovered.
“With his permission, we’re happy to report that Cass County resident John Stokes has recovered from COVID-19,” said Cass County Public Health Director Beth Olsen. “In late March, John traveled out of state and then arrived home in Cass County about two weeks ago. When his symptoms worsened, he sought care in a safe way.”

John Stokes receives from CCHS staff as he is discharged from the hospital.

When asked about his experience at Cass County Health System, John said, “The folks at the hospital were angels. They were very caring, very comforting. Even when they had to check on me during the middle of the night, they were very gentle, very kind. From Paul, the nurse practitioner, to all of the nurses, straight down to the kitchen. They were all very patient. And the food was fantastic!” When John was discharged from CCHS, a small group of staff lined the hallways to celebrate his recovery and return home.

“I felt I should have been the one applauding. They were the ones taking the risk, because I already had it. They were the ones still risking a lot to help me, to heal me.” And now, John is at home and looking forward to the future. “Keep the faith,” said John.

Many residents may be wondering if they were potentially exposed to COVID-19 through John. “Through our investigation, we didn’t find any significant risk to the public,” said Beth. “If we had, we would contact individuals one-on-one. In this case, that wasn’t necessary.”

While this case is over, it is still important for residents to continuing making prevention their first priority. “We don’t want people to gain a false sense of security and ease up on their social distancing practices or other preventive measures. We know that COVID-19 is widespread in the state, and we all have a role to play in minimizing the spread here in Cass County,” said Beth.

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.
Approximately 80% of Iowans infected with COVID-19, will experience only a mild to moderate illness. Most mildly ill Iowans do not need to go to their healthcare provider or be tested to confirm they have COVID-19. Sick Iowans must stay home and isolate themselves from others in their house. Stay home and isolate from others in the house until:
• You have had no fever for at least 72 hours (that is three full days of no fever without the use of medicine that reduces fevers)
AND
• other symptoms have improved (for example, when your cough or shortness of breath have improved)
AND
• at least 7 days have passed since your symptoms first appeared.

If you think you may need healthcare, call first. Your provider can assess whether you need to be seen in the office or if you can recover at home. Atlantic Medical Center, RHC offers telehealth appointments that can be used for some patients.

The Union County Sheriff’s Office says a 2014 Yamaha 450 4-wheeler reported stolen out Creston Wednesday morning, was recovered later on, in Cass County. The machine was valued at $3,500.00. Additional details were not immediately available.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa businesses ordered by the governor to close in March may soon learn if and when they may reopen in May. “Might have some news tomorrow, but we’re still working on that.” Governor Kim Reynolds says there are “areas of opportunity” in the state as 51 of Iowa’s 99 counties have zero to four confirmed cases of COVID-19. However, Reynolds says increased testing is needed. “We must get Iowa back to work sooner rather than later,” Reynolds says, “and the more we continue to learn about the virus in Iowa, the better we’ll be able to balance the health of our people and our economy.”

The governor warns that despite whatever she may announce as soon as tomorrow (Friday), life might not return to what we considered normal. “Might be a little bit of a new normal for a while, but that’s okay,” Reynolds says. “The COVID-19 pandemic has taught us all a few things about ourself and maybe one of the greatest lessons has been a reminder of what really matters and for myself, there are a few things I can’t wait to get back to — hugging my grandchildren would be one of them and getting together with family — but there’s also a lot of things we’re going to have to do differently going forward.”

Reynolds says vulnerable Iowans with underlying health conditions should continue stay home as much as possible even if her closure orders are eased.

ANKENY, Iowa (AP) — Fire officials in central Iowa say one person has died following an apartment fire in suburban Des Moines. The Ankeny Fire Department said Thursday in a news release that the fire was reported late Wednesday afternoon at the Trilein Apartments in Ankeny. Arriving crews found heavy smoke coming from a third floor window and began a search in that apartment, eventually finding and removing a person from the unit. Firefighters say the person was not breathing, and crews immediately began CPR. The person was taken by ambulance to a Des Moines hospital and died there. The victim’s name has not been released. Officials are investigating the cause of the fire.

In today’s (Thursday’s) COVID-19 update, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds reported on the latest IDPH data, including information not previously reported by officials, including comparisons of Iowa’s data to the national scene. The Governor said over the past 24-hours, there were:

176 NEW, positive Covid-19 cases, for a total of 3,942. No new counties were added to the list of counties with Covid-19 cases, for a total of 84 counties. 842 Iowans have tested Negative for Covid-19, for a total of 25,338.

Of the 29, 262 Iowans who’ve been tested for Covid-19, Reynolds says 13% have tested positive, compared to a national rate of 18.4% [as reported by the CDC]. As of Wednesday, 77% of all positive cases were among adults age 18-40, and middle-age adults from 41-to 60.” The Governor reports 22% were older and elderly adults from 61-to over 80, and 1% were children under the age of 18. She said among all Iowans with Covid-19, 10% are staff and residents of Long-Term Care Facilities. 16% are health care workers, and 29% work in manufacturing facilities.

As of Wednesday, 11 of Iowa’s 99 counties accounted for 81% of all Covid-19 cases. Five counties alone had 52% of the State’s positive’s. 51 counties had zero-to-four cases each.  Reynolds said 1,492 Iowans were diagnosed with Covid-19, and that have recovered, for a recovery rate of 38%. She said the Dept. of Public Health has confirmed one additional Long Term Care Facility outbreak in Linn County, affecting Manor Care Health Services. That brings the total LTC facility outbreaks to 12.

Of the positive LTC residents to date, Reynold said 65 people have recovered, 84 remain ill, and 24 are currently hospitalized. Six people have died over the past 24-hours, for a total of 96 Iowans who have lost their lives to the virus. According to IDPH the additional 6 deaths were reported in the following counties:

• Bremer County, 1 elderly adult (81+)
• Muscatine County, 1 elderly adult (81+)
• Polk County, 1 middle-age adult (41-60 years), 3 elderly adults (81+)

As of Wednesday, 85% of all deaths are among older/elderly adults; 51% were residents of LTC facilities, 12% were middle-age adults age 41-to-60. 2% were adults age 18-to-40. Reynolds said since the first cases of Covid-19 were confirmed, the IDPH has been collecting data that allows officials a better understanding of the virus, its impact on Iowans and to help mitigate it. Increased testing capabilities, she said areas of concern will be targeted earlier, along with areas of opportunity to re-open the State in a “Measured and responsible way.”