DES MOINES, Iowa (KMTV) — 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 got unsolicited advice from the actor Ashton Kutcher.
Reynolds says she recently called Kutcher, an Iowa native known for starring in movies and television shows, to ask whether he would record a public service announcement. She said Kutcher asked whether she was familiar with a Utah program launched this month to increase testing that looked promising.
Kutcher had a friend involved in one of the companies participating, and offered to connect them.
Reynolds said that she spoke with Kutcher’s connection, and her aides followed up with Utah government officials. TestIowa was launched on Tuesday.
On Thursday, Reynolds and other officials provided the state's daily coronavirus update. Watch it below.
BREAKING CORONAVIRUS IOWA: There are an additional 176 confirmed coronavirus cases in IA. The state now has a total of 3,924 confirmed cases. 282 people are currently hospitalized. To date 1,492 have recovered.
— Courtney Johns (@CourtneyJohnsTV) April 23, 2020
BREAKING CORONAVIRUS IOWA: Six more people have died from covid-19 in IA. A total of 96 people have died from the virus in the state.
— Courtney Johns (@CourtneyJohnsTV) April 23, 2020
85 percent of the deaths involve older adults. https://t.co/azUQWTVWeP
— Courtney Johns (@CourtneyJohnsTV) April 23, 2020
Over 120,000 Iowans have completed the #TestIowa assessment. The first day of testing (Saturday) is full. https://t.co/ASZlEGu7KE
— Courtney Johns (@CourtneyJohnsTV) April 23, 2020
#Coronavirus
Gov. Reynolds says she reached out to the Utah based company for a possible partnership in coronavirus testing after Iowan Ashton Kutcher suggested she look into it. #coronavirus
— Courtney Johns (@CourtneyJohnsTV) April 23, 2020