DES MOINES, Iowa (KMTV) — On Thursday, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and other officials held a coronavirus briefing. The governor provided an update on school-sponsored summer sports and opening up testing to more Iowans.
Governor Reynolds started things off by announcing expanded testing in the state.
By the end of the day or tomorrow, testing will be available to anyone who wants it through TestIowa. Previously, certain groups of people were being prioritized based on their risk of exposure. Now, anyone can fill out the questionnaire on the TestIowa website to apply.
Reynolds said the state has about 200,000 tests on hand, which played a part in the decision to extend testing to everyone. She also said the state will announce another phase of expanded testing next week.
Yesterday, Reynolds said school sports and other school-sponsored activities would be allowed to start on June 1. Department of Education Director Anne Lebow provided more information, saying the order will include summer school and remote learning as well. In-person activities will be expected to honor social distancing and limit group numbers as much as possible.
3 News Now This Morning Anchor Courtney Johns is provided live updates via Twitter:
#BREAKING #CORONAVIRUS
— Courtney Johns (@CourtneyJohnsTV) May 21, 2020
Gov. Reynolds is expanding TestIowa now to anyone who thinks they should be tested. Iowans can qualify by going to https://t.co/NneGznHQ0l
This will be effective by the end of the day. https://t.co/YSRaLONDT2
— Courtney Johns (@CourtneyJohnsTV) May 21, 2020
#coronavirus
— Courtney Johns (@CourtneyJohnsTV) May 21, 2020
It has been nearly two weeks since the Gov. Reynolds went into a “modified quarantine.” Today reporters were allowed back into the room for the governor’s daily press briefing.
Gov. Reynolds says they will announce another phase of opening up testing next week. She says this will allow more Iowans to get tested. https://t.co/B1n5GC1WIs
— Courtney Johns (@CourtneyJohnsTV) May 21, 2020