Yesterday, nearly 213,000 new coronavirus cases were reported across the United States. The number of new infections on one day is roughly equal to the population of Des Moines. And that alarming number marks the highest peak of the pandemic so far.
Also yesterday, more than 2,500 COVID-19 deaths were reported for the third consecutive day. And that means we are in the midst of the deadliest stretch since the pandemic began.
The situation is likely to get worse. According to a new forecast from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 20,000 people could die of the virus during the week of Christmas. River to River host Ben Kieffer speaks with IPR health reporter Natalie Krebs for the latest news on COVID-19 in Iowa.
Later on, several other top news stories from around the state, including the upcoming deadline to apply for the state's eviction and foreclosure prevetion program, the outcome of Iowa's 2nd Congressional District race and designing school ventilation systems to help prevent the spread of illness.
Guests:
Natalie Krebs, IPR health reporter
Kassidy Arena, IPR reporter
Derek Muller, University of Iowa College of Law
Corey Metzger, consulting engineer at Resource Consulting Engineers
Tim Walch, director emeritus of the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum
Cece Mitchell, IPR Studio One
