The first case of COVID-19 in the state’s prison system was reported on Friday. According to the Iowa Department of Corrections (DOC), a correctional officer at the Iowa Medical and Classification Center in Coralville — or as the facility is better known, Oakdale Prison — has tested positive for the virus. The officer began experiencing […]
COVID-19
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Iowa braces for PPE shortage, but officials say the curve is flattening
The Iowa Department of Public Health issued an personal protective equipment (PPE) order on Friday to address current and anticipated shortages of the urgently needed supplies. The order calls for health care providers to minimize patient contact when possible, shorten the stay of COVID-19 patients in hospitals where PPE is in short supply and reuse […]
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St. Luke’s Healthcare Foundation, Willis Dady Homeless Services receive grants to help with impact of COVID-19
The Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation has announced the first two groups that will receive grants under the foundation’s COVID-19 Disaster Response Fund. St. Luke’s Healthcare Foundation and Willis Dady Homeless Services will each receive $2,500. The Community Foundation is a nonprofit that supports other organizations in Linn County by offering grants, support and connecting […]
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Iowa City’s inflatable roller-skating animal brigade lifts spirits during COVID-19 crisis
“A T-rex and a unicorn roller-skate down the street” sounds like the set-up for a silly joke. In Iowa City, it’s a delightful reality at a time when fun distractions are as good as gold.
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More than 200 COVID-19 cases confirmed in Linn County, Cedar Rapids may close parks and trails due to overcrowding
The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 continues to increase daily in Linn County, which has the most positive cases and deaths caused by the virus of any county in Iowa. On average, the number of cases has increased by 12 each day since March 21, when the first positive cases of the virus were […]
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Reynolds: Do as you’re told, don’t ask questions
Gov. Kim Reynolds wants people to stop asking questions about how she is making decisions while directing the state’s response to COVID-19, and just do what she says. Reynolds and Iowa Department of Public Health officials constantly refer to “the metrics” they use for decisions, while offering little information about those metrics. Four of the […]
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Linn County Public Health will hold a virtual town hall on COVID-19
Linn County Public Health is having a virtual town hall on Friday, April 10, that will focus on what people can do to reduce community spread of COVID-19. The virtual town hall, which begins at noon, will be held via GoToMeeting, a video conference software. LCPH Clinical Services Supervisor Heather Meador and Dr. Dustin Arnold […]
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Unemployment claims reach a new high in Iowa
For the third week in a row, the number for first-time unemployment claims reported by Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) set a new record. For the week ending April 4, IWD received 67,334 first-claims, an increase of 8,881 from the 58,453 that were filed during the week ending March 28.
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Gov. Reynolds optimistic the curve is flattening, discusses small business relief, declares ‘Day of Prayer’
Another 97 Iowans have tested positive for COVID-19, the Iowa Department of Public Health reported on Wednesday. The new cases include 11 residents of Linn County and 13 residents of Johnson County. Ten of the new Johnson County cases were adults between the ages of 18 and 40. • Allamakee County, 1 adult (18-40 years), […]
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‘How do I manage my anxiety about this?’: Needed now more than ever, crisis and community orgs adapt to social distancing
While the immediate concern amid the COVID-19 pandemic is physical health, social distancing has wide-stretching impacts on mental health, employment and other resources. Due to social distancing guidelines, local service organizations have had to adjust the way they serve the community during the pandemic. CommUnity In the case of CommUnity Crisis Services, all volunteers are […]
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Mercy Cedar Rapids opens second respiratory clinic
Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids has opened a second clinic dedicated to caring for patients experiencing symptoms of respiratory illness, including COVID-19, the hospital announced on Monday. Mercy opened its first clinic in late March. Shortly after it was opened, the clinic moved in order to increase its patient capacity. It is currently located […]
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Bernie Sanders drops out of the 2020 presidential race (mostly)
Sen. Bernie Sanders announced on Wednesday he is suspending his 2020 presidential campaign. Sanders’ withdrawal from the race leaves Joe Biden as the only active candidate for the Democratic Party’s nomination. “I wish I could give you better news, but I think you know the truth,” the Vermont senator said in a video message to […]
