Linn County Public Health is hosting a virtual town hall on Friday about what people can do to improve their mental health during the pandemic and the resources available in the community. This is the second town hall in a series LCPH plans to hold every Friday Four speakers will be available to answer questions […]
COVID-19
Posted inCommunity/News
Reynolds addresses racial discrepancies in COVID-19 cases, plans to increase testing
New information provided on the state’s revamped COVID-19 website, launched on Tuesday, revealed that black and Latino Iowans are testing positive for the virus at disproportionate rates. At her press conference on Wednesday, Gov. Reynolds was asked, “What are you doing to address that?” “We’re still looking at the trends,” Reynolds replied. She added, “I […]
Posted inLetters
Letter to the editor: What I think about the coronavirus
By Claire Anderson, 10 years old, student at Lemme Elementary School I think the virus is something that people need to be very cautious of because it spreads so quickly. I think that the coronavirus is a really bad virus. The coronavirus makes me feel really nervous because my grandparents are older and if they […]
Posted inCOVID-19
Iowa Secretary of State, Linn County officials encourage voting from home ahead of June primary
Linn County is preparing for the June 2 primary — which is still scheduled to happen, but with various changes due to COVID-19. Linn County Auditor Joel Miller said that his office sent out absentee ballot request forms to every household in the county. During a Board of Supervisors meeting on Wednesday, Miller said 1,500 […]
Posted inCommunity/News
UIHC begins clinical trial of plasma transfusions to treat COVID-19
University of Iowa Health Care announced on Wednesday that a team of researchers has “started a new clinical trial to determine if plasma from recovered COVID-19 patients can help treat patients currently hospitalized with the disease.” “Convalescent plasma has previously been used to mitigate or prevent infection in other viral diseases,” Dr. Brooks Jackson, University […]
Posted inCommunity/News
After suspending its programs because of COVID-19, Iowa Writers’ House is making a major change
The Iowa Writers’ House is leaving its house as part of some major changes the nonprofit is making because of COVID-19. “After five wonderful years at our historic house on Davenport Street, the organization will be leaving the space and taking a break to assess our mission and consider our best options for the future,” […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Outbreak at meat processing plant drives biggest one-day increase in COVID-19 cases; Reynolds says there’s no need for new regulations on plant safety
An outbreak of COVID-19 at the Tyson pork processing plant in Columbus Junction pushed the number of new confirmed cases of the virus to 189 on Tuesday, a new one-day record. According to the Iowa Department of Public Health, a total of 1,899 Iowans have tested positive for the virus since March 8. IDPH also […]
Posted inCommunity/News
New state website on COVID-19 reveals black and Latino Iowans are testing positive at disproportionate rates
The state relaunched its COVID-19 information website — coronavirus.iowa.gov — on Tuesday morning, with new features and an expanded range of data. The site quickly crashed, and was replaced by its old version. “We have had a large volume that’s been using the new website, and we didn’t have the processing power that we needed,” […]
Posted inCOVID-19
Abbe Community Mental Health offering free coaching session on caring for mental health during COVID-19
Abbe Community Mental Health is offering a free mental health coaching session for anyone interested in getting tips on caring for mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Abbe Center’s offices around Iowa — including locations in Cedar Rapids and Iowa City — remain open during COVID-19, for both in-person visits and virtual appointments. The center […]
Posted inCommunity/News
UIHC announces a ban on almost all patient visits
COVID-19 has already caused University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics to restrict the number of visitors its patients can have, and that restriction will turn into an almost total ban on visitors at all UIHC locations starting on Wednesday. “Beginning tomorrow, our adult in-patient visits will be temporarily suspended,” UIHC Chief Medical Officer Dr. Theresa […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Iowa Arts Council taking applications for emergency grants for artists and arts organizations affected by COVID-19
Iowa artists and nonprofit arts organizations can now apply for a one-time emergency grant from the Iowa Arts & Culture Emergency Relief Fund to help them cope with disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The fund, which is administered by the Iowa Arts Council, was activated as soon as Gov. Kim Reynolds signed her emergency […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Two residents of a Marion nursing home have died, three employees test positive for COVID-19
Two residents of Linn Manor Care Center, a nursing home in Marion, have died from COVID-19 and three employees have tested positive for the virus. But according to the Iowa Department of Health, the facility is not experiencing an outbreak of COVID-19. IDPH defines an outbreak as three or more residents of a long-term care […]
