Washington Evening Journal
111 North Marion Avenue
Washington, IA 52353
319-653-2191
Iowa sees 398 new COVID-19 cases Friday, VP Pence scheduled to visit state
By Gage Miskimen, The Union
May. 8, 2020 12:13 pm
Iowa saw 398 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Friday. The new cases bring the state total to 11,457.
The state also saw an additional 12 deaths. The total number of deaths in Iowa due to COVID-19 currently sits at 243.
Locally, Washington County has one new confirmed case, bringing the county total up to 155. Henry and Jefferson counties had no new cases on Friday, leaving those numbers at 42 and six respectively.
Gov. Kim Reynolds did not hold her usual daily news conference as she is scheduled to meet with Vice President Mike Pence during his trip to the Des Moines area. Pence is also expected to meet with U.S. Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst as well as with faith, farm and food production leaders in Iowa.
Pence is the head of the White House coronavirus task force and will talk to Iowa faith leaders about how to reopen spiritual services responsibly.
The vice president is also scheduled to stop in West Des Moines at the Hy-Vee headquarters to meet with food supply leaders about securing the country's food supply.