DES MOINES (IRN) – Gov. Reynolds issued an additional State Public Health Emergency Declaration effective immediately providing additional regulatory relief to Iowans. The declaration temporarily suspends collection of property taxes and penalties and interest, temporarily suspends some evictions, extends expiration deadline for a permit to carry and a permit to acquire a firearm, permits the sale of carry-out, delivery, drive-thru of alcohol for unopened bottles of alcohol for bars and restaurants, and permits public meetings or hearings by electronic means.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Gov. Kim Reynolds says Iowa now has 44 positive COVID-19 cases as of Thursday afternoon. The previous count, given Wednesday, had Iowa with 38 cases. The governor says she is not yet suggesting that we shelter in place.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A visitor to Principal Financial Group’s downtown Des Moines office building has tested positive for COVID-19, leading to nearly 20 floors of the skyscraper going through a “deep clean” starting today. All workers who were in the building during March 10-12 are being required to self-quarantine for at least 14 days.

IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – The University of Iowa reports a student in the College of Dentistry has self-identified as being positive for COVID-19. Those who had close contact with the student have been notified. Those people include a single patient seen by the student while they were symptomatic. The student is self-isolating at a location off-campus.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Wild hockey team wants to help families going through financial hardships related to COVID-19. Spearheaded by Wild forward Mike Liambas, the organization is calling for those in the community to donate money to Food Bank of Iowa, which will go toward feeding families and individuals who have been impacted by COVID-19.