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Capacity limit to be lifted for businesses on Friday
By Gage Miskimen, The Union
Jun. 10, 2020 12:44 pm
Gov. Kim Reynolds is loosening more restrictions on businesses moving forward.
Starting on Friday at 8 a.m., 50% capacity limit will be lifted for businesses Reynolds said during her Wednesday news conference. People must remain six feet apart in restaurants, bars and theaters she said. She added that swimming pools may also open.
Reynolds said that businesses are still required to 'reasonably implement social-distancing measures” to keep customers six feet apart.
As Iowa testing rates continue to trend up, infections, deaths and hospitalizations are starting to trend down according to Iowa Department of Public Health data. 202,612 Iowans have been tested for the COVID-19 virus so far, which is equal to one out of every 16 Iowans being tested according to IDPH data.
'Iowa's COVID cases continue to trend in the right direction,” Reynolds said, opening her news conference.
State Medical Director, Caitlin Pedati said she encourages Iowans to continue to follow good personal practices and added that high-risk individuals should stay home as much as they can, avoiding group settings.
'It's also OK to stay home if you don't fall into those groups,” Pedati said during the news conference.
At the time of the news conference, Iowa had 22,516 total cases of COVID-19 across the state. Additionally, 629 Iowans have died due to the COVID-19 virus so far.
Locally, Washington County had 205 total COVID-19 cases at the time of the news conference. Henry County had 73 positive cases. Jefferson County had 42.
Overall, 13,545 Iowans have recovered from the virus. Locally, 169 residents in Washington County have been confirmed as recovered. 64 individuals have recovered in Henry County. 19 have recovered in Jefferson County.