The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services says it will no longer require the reporting of positive COVID-19 tests on April 1st. The department started taking test reports in March of 2020 as the pandemic hit Iowa. The Department announcement says since the development and widespread … [Read more...]
Governor Reynolds touts 2024 Iowa Caucuses in Inaugural Address
Governor Kim Reynolds has taken the oath of office for a second full term as Iowa's governor. "I am so honored to be here and I want to just start by saying, 'Thank you,'" Reynolds said at the start of her inaugural address this morning. "'Thank you, Iowans, for the trust you've placed in me and … [Read more...]
Reynolds calls for end to national emergency over COVID
Governor Kim Reynolds and two dozen other Republican governors are urging President Biden to end the national public health emergency for COVID in April. Ending the national public health emergency will mean emergency Medicaid insurance coverage for millions of Americans will end. In Iowa, … [Read more...]
Reynolds to appeal ruling that high-risk kids harmed by ban on mask mandates in schools
Governor Kim Reynolds will appeal a judge's ruling that some Iowa children with serious medical conditions are harmed by the law she signed that bars schools from having mask mandates. A federal judge has ruled high-risk children are endangered when students and staff around them are not wearing … [Read more...]
Cases of respiratory illnesses spike in kids
Healthcare providers are reporting increases in respiratory illnesses among kids. University of Iowa Healthcare pediatrician, Adam Brown, says they are seeing the common flu as well as increases in RSV. "We have seen a spike in the last several weeks -- and it's not a real common time of year to … [Read more...]
CDC estimates 84.5% of Iowa kids have had COVID
The Centers for Disease Control estimates the vast majority of Iowa kids have had COVID. The CDC analyzed samples from children between the ages of six months and 17 years who had blood drawn at commercial labs for non-COVID tests in May and June. The CDC estimates 84.5% of Iowa children had … [Read more...]
Report finds Iowa’s public health spending up 9% during pandemic
A new report indicates Iowa's public health funding increased 9% during the pandemic. The non-profit Trust for America's Health released the report. Nadine Gracia, the non-profit's president and CEO, says federal pandemic aid helped many states increase public health funding and it's important … [Read more...]
Reynolds signs ban on Covid-19 vaccination requirements for school attendance
Governor Kim Reynolds has approved a law that prohibits state-licensed child care centers, K-12 schools and Iowa colleges and universities from having Covid-19 vaccination mandates for enrollment. Democrats in the legislature objected. Senator Joe Bolkcom of Iowa City said there's a movement to … [Read more...]
Ernst says AG should drop appeal of ruling that ended public transportation mask mandate
Iowa Senator Joni Ernst is urging the Justice Department to drop its appeal of a ruling that struck down the mask requirement for public transportation. "Americans' decisions to wear masks should be up to them," Ernst says. "...Americans are tired of the masks. They're ready to move on and get on … [Read more...]
61.9% of Iowans are fully vaccinated
The Centers for Disease Control's latest COVID data indicates nearly 62% of Iowans are fully vaccinated. The older an Iowan is, the more likely they are to have gotten COVID shots. For example, 87 percent of Iowans 65 and older fully vaccinated, while around half of 12 to 29 year olds have been … [Read more...]