IOWA, USA — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds is giving her first COVID-19 press conference as cases in the state and the Midwest reach all-time highs.
As of 11 a.m. Thursday, hospitalizations in Iowa were at 839, a 24-hour increase of 62 and the highest-ever total number of Iowans hospitalized from the virus.
Currently, there are 367 ICU beds available in the state, according to iowa.coronavirus.gov.
Reynolds announced a public information campaign asking Iowans to remain vigilant to reduce the spread of the coronavirus. The governor remained reluctant to implement additional mitigation efforts leaving Iowans with the personal responsibility to bring down the state's 14% positivity rating.
A White House Coronavirus Task Force report indicated that 99% of Iowa counties have moderate or high levels of community coronavirus transmission.
When asked about the lack of masking in crowds during her time campaigning for Sen. Joni Ernst, Reynolds said there can't be limits on First Amendment rights to gather.
