740 new COVID-19 cases in Iowa, 77 counties loosen restrictions

Friday was the first day 77 of Iowa's 99 counties were allowed to loosen restrictions among various businesses.

Friday also saw 740 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 across the state Gov. Kim Reynolds said during her Friday news conference. 740 is a new one-day high for the state. Iowa's total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases is 7,835.

Reynolds added that 85% of Friday's cases are from the 22 counties where restrictions continue through at least May 15. Reynolds said 516 of the new COVID-19 cases are from Black Hawk, Dallas, Polk and Woodbury Counties.

The state also saw eight additional deaths on Friday, bringing the total number of deaths in the state to 170. Friday's deaths were in Bremer, Linn, Muscatine, Polk and Scott Counties.

Locally, Washington County saw three new cases on Friday, bringing the county total up to 144 and Henry and Jefferson County saw no new cases on Friday according to Iowa Department of Public Health data.

Restaurants, fitness centers, retail stores and other types of businesses in 77 counties, including Jefferson County, are allowed to reopen with some restrictions on Friday.

According to the proclamation from Reynolds on Monday, restaurants in the 77 counties may reopen, but must limit its customers to 50% of its capacity and keep groups seated together to six people or less and adhere to social distancing rules, keeping at least six feet between groups of people. Self-service of food or beverages are prohibited according to the proclamation, including buffets or salad bars.

Fitness centers must also limit the number of gymgoers to 50% its capacity according to the proclamation. It also states that all equipment have to be spaced at least six feet apart or other appropriate measures have to be taken to ensure closely spaced equipment is not used. Group activities such as classes must be limited to ten or fewer people and all people participating must be at least six feet apart as well the proclamation reads.

Malls in those counties are also able to operate at 50% capacity, but must keep play areas and other common areas including food courts closed according to the proclamation. Restaurants in food courts may operate on a carryout basis.

Spiritual gatherings are also allowed across the state according to the Reynolds' proclamation this week.

The proclamation also states that libraries may reopen as long as the number of patrons present is limited to 50% of capacity as well.

IDPH Director Sarah Reisetter said that social distancing must be in place at spiritual gatherings during the news conference. She added that funerals and weddings are covered as spiritual gatherings, however receptions are not.

Bars, theaters, casinos, social and fraternal clubs, senior citizen centers, amusements such as bowling alleys and amusement parks, museums, aquariums and zoos, skating rinks and skate parks, playgrounds, campgrounds, swimming pools, salons and barbershops, medical spas, tattoo establishments, tanning facilities, massage therapy establishments are to remain closed in all 99 Iowa counties until at least May 15.

Washington and Henry Counties are of the 22 counties not allowed to loosen any restrictions aside from spiritual gatherings through May 15. The other 20 counties are Allamakee, Benton, Black Hawk, Bremer, Dallas, Des Moines, Dubuque, Fayette, Iowa, Jasper, Johnson, Linn, Louisa, Marshall, Muscatine, Polk, Poweshiek, Scott, Tama and Woodbury Counties.