Iowa confirms 52 new coronavirus cases, two more deaths

Fifty-two more positive cases of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, have been reported in Iowa, bringing the total to 549, public health officials said Wednesday.

That includes new cases reported in Clinton, Des Moines, Dubuque, Henry, Muscatine, and Scott counties.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds said Wednesday 63 people were hospitalized as of Tuesday night and 118 have recovered.

Two more Iowans, a Polk County adult 81 or older and a Washington County adult 81 and older, have died, according to officials. Nine people total have died as of Wednesday.

“When we first heard about an outbreak of an unknown virus across the globe, it seemed almost unimaginable that it could have an impact on us, " Reynolds said during a press conference. "But in a very short amount of time it has become a reality."

She continued, "As the President said yesterday, the next two to three weeks is a critical time for our nation as we prepare for COVID-19 cases to spike. The actions of everyone matter and we must all do our part to slow the spread of the virus and save lives.”

The best ways to do that, she said, is to stay at home as much as possible and urged Iowans to leave their homes only for essential purposes, such as grocery shopping.

Reynolds has not issued a stay-at-home order as of Wednesday. Last month, she recommended that schools close through April 10 and closed some businesses, such as restaurants and bars.

Reynolds said she is continuing to monitor different metrics, such as the percentage of identified cases requiring hospitalization and the number of long-term care outbreaks.

“We start every day reviewing the data and we end every day reviewing the data,” she said.

The new positive cases reported Wednesday include:

• Cerro Gordo County, an adult between the ages of 18 to 40.

• Clayton County, and adult 81 or older.

• Clinton County, an adult between the ages of 18 and 40.

• Dallas County, an adult between the ages of 18 and 40 years and an adult between the ages of 61 and 80.

• Des Moines County, an adult between the ages of 41 and 60.

• Dubuque County, an adult between the ages of 41 and 60.

• Harrison County, an adult between the ages of 61 and 80.

• Henry County, an adult between the ages of 18 and 40 and an adult between the ages of 61 and 80.

• Iowa County, an adult between the ages of 18 and 40.

• Jasper County, an adult between the ages 41 and 60.

• Johnson County, an adult between the ages of 18 and 40, an adult between the ages of 41 and 60, and an adult between the ages of 61 and 80.

• Linn County, two adults between the ages of 18 and40, two adults between the ages of 41 and 60.

• Madison County, an adult between the ages of 61 and 80.

• Mitchell County, two adults between the ages of 41 and 60.

• Muscatine County, an adult between the ages of 41 and 60 and an adult between the ages of 61 and 80.

• O’Brien County, an adult between the ages of 41 and 60 years and an adult between the ages of 61 and 80.

• Polk County, an adult between the ages of 41 and 60, three older adults between the ages of 61 and 80, and an adult 81 and older.

• Pottawattamie County, a child between the ages of 0 and 17.

• Poweshiek County, an adult between the ages of 61 and 80.

• Scott County, two adults between the ages of 41 and 60 and an adult between the ages of 18 and 40.

• Story County, two adults between the ages of 61 and 80.

• Tama County, an adult between the ages of 41 and 60 and two adults between the ages of 61 and 80.

• Van Buren County, an adult between the age of 61 and 80.

• Warren County, an adult between the ages of 18 and 40.

• Washington County, an adult between the ages of 18 and 50, five adults between the age of 41 and 60, two adults between the ages of 61 and 80, and an adult 81 and older.

Upon further case investigation, a positive case identified as a Washington County resident was determined to be a resident of Keokuk County, officials said.

There have been a total of 7,304 negative tests to date, which includes testing reported by the State Hygienic Lab and other labs.

A status report of monitoring and testing of COVID19 in Iowa is provided by IDPH and can be found

. A public hotline has been established for Iowans with questions about COVID-19. The line is available 24/7 by calling 2-1-1 or 1-800-244-7431.