On Monday, the Iowa Department of Public Health reported two deaths and 123 new cases of COVID-19; that includes two more in Woodbury County for a total of 20. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds says a large amount of the deaths are from people living in long-term care facilities. She also took a moment to give a message to employees at facilities across the state. “You are more than caregivers. You are heroes on the front lines. Thank you for showing up and caring for others like you would for your own

In the age of the COVID-19 pandemic, there are many uncertainties. Siouxland Public Media’s Sheila Brummer talked to one local mental health provider on ways to ease the upheaval in our lives. Susanna Shell-Philips works as a mental health therapist in Sioux City. “A very important time to be grateful for all of our connections and the people we love.” Shell-Phillips says it’s important to stay informed on the latest coronavirus updates, but don’t immerse yourself in all of the news. Try to

On Thursday, Iowa saw the largest single-day increase in confirmed cases of COVID-19, adding 125 for a total of 1,270. In Woodbury County, a dozen people have tested positive; including one woman from Sioux City who talked to Siouxland Public Media’s Sheila Brummer about her experience with COVID-19. Jessica Lenz says her symptoms started on the night of March 30 th . “The first day I was fine and then I went to work and it just hit me. I spiked a fever of a 100.5 and I just felt exhausted, more

The Iowa Department of Public Health reporting two more people have died from complications of COVID-19. There are 118 additional cases, including three extra in Woodbury County for a total of 15 positive cases. The statewide total of positive cases is 1,388. Several staff members from the Sioux City Police Department did test positive for the virus. However, the PD isn’t releasing any more details. A spokesperson says officers will still provide essential services and take precautions to

Iowa had its largest single-day increase in confirmed cases of COVID-19 today, adding 125 new positive tests for a total of 1,270. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds is urging residents to focus on what they can do individually to stop the spread of the coronavirus and less about whether she will order further restrictions to fight the outbreak. Reynolds told reporters that “sometimes everyone is getting so hung up on the metrics” guiding the state’s response, including whether local stay-at-home orders may

This week on The Exchange . . . We check in with Tyler Brock of Siouxland District Health about the spread of the coronavirus in Woodbury County Also, we talk with Sioux City Community School Superintendent Paul Gausman about the ongoing school closure and efforts to keep students learning until classes resume. And we talk with Western Iowa Tech Community College President Terry Murrell about how the school has moved all of its courses online until the end of the spring term to prevent the

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds says she is somewhat optimistic about the number of people recovering from COVID-19. At a news conference this morning she reported no new deaths. The Iowa Department of Public Heath updated that information to include an elderly patient who died in eastern Iowa. There are 97 news cases and no new deaths. A total of 1,145 have tested positive. A total of 27 Iowans have died. There are 122 currently hospitalized and 431 patients have recovered. “Only 10% are

More than 100,000 Iowans filed for unemployment benefits in the first two weeks of massive business closings. The person in charge of Iowa Workforce Development called the situation “staggering”. People from all kinds of backgrounds wondering when will they go back to work? Many rely on seeing people face-to-face for their livelihoods, including singer-songwriter and music teacher Mike Langley. The Sioux City artist tells Siouxland Public Media how he has modified his business in this new age of

The number of confirmed cases of the new cornavirus in Iowa jumped by 102 for a total of 1,048. So, far the illness has claimed 26 lives in the state. Health officials say long term care facility and resident make up 11-percent of COVID-19 cases and 46-percent of deaths in the state. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds is defending her use of a tool to help guide the state’s response to the outbreak that critics have called arbitrary and unscientific. The matrix developed by the Iowa Department of Public

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds faces intense criticism for refusing a statewide “stay-at-home” order. One local state lawmakers says it’s something he also would like to see enacted as well. Siouxland Public Media’s Sheila Brummer reports. State Representative Chris Hall says Iowa need clear guidance when it comes to the COVID-19 pandemic. “You can look around and see people are continuing to use public space; through no bad intentions of their own are putting others, especially older Iowans at risk