DES MOINES, Iowa (KMTV) — On Tuesday, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and other officials held a coronavirus briefing.
The governor started things off by talking about restrictions that were loosened on May 1. She believes this step, which is not a mandate but an option for businesses, is an important part of restoring consumer confidence and getting the economy rolling again as many file for unemployment.
Reynolds said she was hoping to make an announcement about loosening more restrictions today but said she is meeting with the Department of Health to look at the data before possibly doing so tomorrow.
In regards to testing, the governor said the state is now processing about 3,800 a day and plans to open an eighth test site later this week in Storm Lake.
The state is now reporting 289 deaths and 12,912 total coronavirus cases to date after an additional 539 were reported Tuesday.
3 News Now This Morning Anchor Courtney Johns provided live updates via Twitter:
#BREAKING #CORONAVIRUS
— Courtney Johns (@CourtneyJohnsTV) May 12, 2020
The state of Iowa is reporting a record number of virus-related deaths. 18 people have died. a total of 289 have died in the state since the start of the pandemic. pic.twitter.com/3hYbhLn6bE
#BREAKING #CORONAVIRUS
— Courtney Johns (@CourtneyJohnsTV) May 12, 2020
Here is a look at the latest numbers in Iowa:
539 new cases
12,912 total cases
18 new deaths
289 total deaths
5,618 recovering
385 hospitalized pic.twitter.com/nQQUDQ3rJ1
Pottawattamie County has 91 cases. Governor Reynolds is scheduled to hold a press conference at 11:30. We will have the latest Live at Midday. @3NewsNowOmaha https://t.co/iHmMCF3zyO
— Courtney Johns (@CourtneyJohnsTV) May 12, 2020
Governor Reynolds says the state is now processing about 3,800 coronavirus tests a day.
— Courtney Johns (@CourtneyJohnsTV) May 12, 2020
Governor Reynolds originally said she would talk about reopening businesses. She now says she is meeting with the dept. of public health to talk about this and will tell us more tomorrow.
— Courtney Johns (@CourtneyJohnsTV) May 12, 2020
An 8th Test Iowa site will open this week. The latest one will happen in Storm Lake.
— Courtney Johns (@CourtneyJohnsTV) May 12, 2020
An 8th Test Iowa site will open this week. The latest one will happen in Storm Lake.
— Courtney Johns (@CourtneyJohnsTV) May 12, 2020