The newest report issued by the White House Coronavirus Task Force says Iowa is still in the “red zone” for COVID-19 cases.
Last week, the state had the third highest rate of cases in the country. It had a positivity rate above 10 percent making it sixth in the nation, according to the report released Sunday, Sept. 6.
The report noted that the state has seen a decrease in new cases and stability in test positivity as compared to the previous week, but it still recommends that the state should close bars in 61 counties and limit restaurant capacity in those same counties.
This week’s report recommends mask mandates in metro areas and counties with confirmed COVID-19 cases in K-12 schools. Gov. Kim Reynolds has repeatedly declined to issue a mask mandate, calling them "unenforceable."
Iowa continues to have high transmission rates in counties with large university communities.
Polk, Story and Johnson counties have the highest number of new cases, representing 39 percent of the state’s new cases. The report also recommends increasing testing and contact tracing efforts at college and universities.
