Iowa surpasses 9,000 COVID cases as state begins to reopen

Iowa saw two of the largest daily increases in confirmed coronavirus cases over the weekend with 740 cases reported on Friday and 757 cases on Saturday. Sunday saw a drop in reported cases with only 528 new cases reported. Following the cases reported over the weekend, the state now has a total of 9,169 confirmed cases.

The state also saw an additional five deaths on Saturday and nine on Sunday bringing the state's total number of deaths to 184.

Locally, Washington County reported four new cases over the weekend - one on Saturday and three on Sunday - and now has 148 cases. Henry County saw one new case on Sunday for 33 total cases, while Jefferson County reported no new cases and remains at six cases. The Tri-County area saw no additional deaths.

The peak in daily cases comes as Gov. Kim Reynolds loosened restrictions and closures on 77 counties across the state, which went into effect on Friday, May 1.

Restaurants, fitness centers, malls, libraries and retail businesses in the 77 counties were allowed to reopen under certain guidelines, detailed in the proclamation the Governor signed on April 27.

The establishments could resume business at 50% of maximum legal capacity. Restaurants must adhere to social distancing guidelines and place groups at least six feet apart. Group activities at fitness centers must also remain under the 10-person limit and common seating areas and food courts within malls are to remain closed. Racetracks and speedways could also reopen and events could commence but without patrons in attendance.

Within the Tri-County area, Jefferson County is the only one that has been permitted to reopen.