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COVID-19 live updates: Tyson Foods suspends Iowa pork plant after virus outbreak

Latest numbers released Monday: 946 total positive cases, 25 deaths and 10,653 negative tests.

Local 5 is compiling the latest information regarding COVID-19 as it develops in Iowa.

According to numbers released Monday morning from the Iowa Department of Public Health, 946 Iowans have tested positive for the coronavirus with 10,653 tests coming back negative. 

After the confirmation of three deaths on Monday, the state's total number of fatalities is 25.

"More than 10% of all positive cases in Iowa are occurring among long term care staff and residents," IDPH said. "More than 40% of all deaths in Iowa are associated with outbreaks in long-term care facilities."

Monday, April 6

Tyson Foods suspends operations at Iowa pork processing plant

Tyson Foods said Monday that it has suspended operations at a major pork processing plant in southeastern Iowa where more than two dozen workers have tested positive for the coronavirus.

Spokesman Gary Mickelson said the suspension went into effect on Monday at the plant in Columbus Junction. He said it will last for the duration of this week and be revisited at that point. Mickelson said the plant’s 1,400 workers would continue to be paid this week despite the furlough. 

He said the company was diverting livestock shipments that were scheduled to be delivered to Columbus Junction to other plants in the region, such as Waterloo and Perry. 

Reporting by Associated Press

Regional shelter-in-place order can happen, according to Gov. Reynolds

Gov. Reynolds has stated that she's "open" to issuing shelter-in-place orders for different regions as cases of COVID-19 continue to grow in the state.

Officials split the state into six different parts. A point is given to a region as positive cases appear. As of Monday, Region 9 is one point away from a shelter-in-place order.

Credit: Iowa Department of Public Health

Gov. Reynolds has "productive and positive" call with Dr. Anthony Fauci

Iowa's governor tweeted Monday that she spoke with Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

Also on the call was Governor of Nebraska Pete Ricketts.

Reynolds said last week that those claling for an Iowa shelter-in-place order such as Dr. Fauci "can't just look at a map and assume no action has been taken."

RELATED: 'You can't just look at a map and assume no action has been taken': Gov. Reynolds defends COVID-19 response

Reynolds orders additional businesses to close

Gov. Reynolds ordered the following businesses to close until April 30:

  • Malls
  • Social/fraternal clubs
  • Bingo halls
  • Bowling allies
  • Pool halls
  • Arcades
  • Amusement parks
  • Libraries
  • Museums
  • Zoos
  • Skating rinks/parks
  • Outdoor and indoor playgrounds
  • Children's play centers
  • Tobacco and vaping stores
  • Racetracks
  • Toy stores
  • Gaming stores
  • Instrument/music stores
  • Movie stores 
  • Camp grounds

Additional deaths, positive cases announced

Gov. Reynolds announced additional details on COVID-19 in Iowa. Three more Iowans have died from COVID-19 complications. 

One older adult (61-80) from Linn County and two elderly adults (81+) from Tama County passed away as of Monday morning. The total number of deaths is 25 in Iowa.

Reynolds said 78 additional positive cases have been identified, reaching a total of 946 positive cases in the state. Negative tests total to 10,653.

There are 99 people hospitalized as of Sunday night.A total of 284 patients have recovered from COVID-19.

WATCH LIVE: Gov. Reynolds holds press conference on COVID-19 response

WATCH LIVE: Gov. Reynolds holds press conference on COVID-19 response. Iowa's number of positive cases sits at 868 as of Sunday afternoon. bit.ly/3aLTupK

Posted by We Are Iowa Local 5 News on Monday, April 6, 2020

The latest positive cases include: 

  • Allamakee County, 1 adult (18-40 years)
  • Benton County, 1 middle-age adult (41-60 years)
  • Cedar County, 1 middle-age adult (41-60 years)
  • Cerro Gordo County, 2 older adults (61-80 years)
  • Chickasaw County, 1 adult (18-40 years)
  • Clinton County, 1 older adult (61-80 years)
  • Crawford County, 1 middle-age adult (41-60 years)
  • Dubuque County, 1 middle-age adult (41-60 years)
  • Franklin County, 1 middle-age adult (41-60 years)
  • Henry County, 1 adult (18-40 years)
  • Jackson County, 1 middle-age adult (41-60 years)
  • Johnson County, 5 adults (18-40 years), 6 middle-age adults (41-60 years), 1 older adult (61-80 years)
  • Linn County, 5 adults (18-40 years), 6 middle-age adults (41-60 years), 2 older adults (61-80 years), 1 elderly adult (81+)
  • Louisa County, 1 middle-age adult (41-60 years)
  • Marion County, 1 older adult (61-80 years)
  • Marshall County, 1 adult (18-40 years), 1 older adult (61-80 years)
  • Muscatine County, 5 adults (18-40 years), 2 middle-age adults (41-60 years), 1 older adult (61-80 years)
  • Page County, 1 middle-age adult (41-60 years)
  • Polk County, 1 middle-age adult (41-60 years), 2 older adults (61-80 years)
  • Pottawattamie County, 1 adult (18-40 years)
  • Scott County, 2 adults (18-40 years), 7 middle age adults (41-60 years), 1 older adult (61-80), 1 elderly adult (81+)  
  • Tama County, 1 adult (18-40 years), 1 middle age adult (41-60 years), 1 older adult (61-80), 3 elderly adults (81+) 
  • Wapello County, 1 adult (18-40 years)
  • Warren County, 1 adult (18-40 years)
  • Washington County, 1 adult (18-40 years), 1 middle age adult (41-60 years), 1 older adult (61-80)  
  • Winnebago County, 1 middle age adult (41-60 years) 

DART further reduces services

The Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority announced it will further reduce its weekday service due to COVID-19.

"Most DART Local Routes will operate on the Saturday service schedule on weekdays as part of the additional, temporary service reduction. There are no changes to Saturday and Sunday service at this time," DART said in a release. "To protect the health and safety of employees and riders, DART is asking that people only ride when absolutely necessary to get to work or to other essential destinations like the grocery store and pharmacy."

Copies of the temporary schedules are available at ridedart.com and the MyDART app.

Full changes can be found here.

Longtime teacher, coach at Iowa City Regina dies of COVID-19

Alumni say 73-year-old John DeMarco, a longtime physical education teacher at Regina High School, died after testing positive for the coronavirus and being treated at two Iowa City hospitals.

Students and alumni at Regina say that was DeMarco, who was known as “Coach D”, had been a fixture there since his arrival in 1981, according to the Associated Press.

Iowa Department of Transportation says traffic is down during COVID-19

Since March 13, weekday traffic has been down around 40 percent, while weekend traffic has been down around 50 percent, according to the Iowa DOT.

Commercial truck traffic has been up by five percent.

Latest guidance from Iowa Judicial Branch

Courts across Iowa have adjusted to the outbreak of COVID-19 by limiting Clerk of Court and courtroom access for "emergency and essential matters" only.

These are defined as (but not limited to): 

  • Criminal matters that cannot be continued or conducted by videoconference or telephone 
  • The protection of vulnerable people, such as the elderly, children and persons with disabilities 
  • Initial appearances, preliminary hearings, bail hearings and arraignments
  • Hearings related to quarantine orders and other public-health related matters 
  • Protection orders for individual who fear for their safety
  • Search warrants and other law enforcement actions

For the latest on what is and isn't being held in Iowa courthouses, click here.

RELATED: How to make your own face mask without a sewing machine

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends frequent hand washing, avoiding close contact and staying home if you are sick as main areas of focus for prevention and containment of COVID-19. 

To get the latest coronavirus coverage, text FACTS to 515-457-1026.

RELATED: 8 additional deaths, 83 more positive COVID-19 cases in Iowa

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