Allamakee County reports another weekend of no positive cases of COVID-19; Serology test results now also reported
Allamakee County experienced another week of a fairly low single-digit number of confirmed positive test results for COVID-19, as four cases were confirmed this past week to push the county’s total to 118 positive cases. With more days without any cases than days with confirmed cases reported for the second consecutive week, those four cases came in a week where more than 70 tests for the infection were conducted.
Those positive cases began with back-to-back days of just one case each Tuesday and Wednesday, May 19 and 20, with the week’s other two cases both being reported Friday, May 22. The Memorial Day weekend provided the most positive news of the week with three consecutive days out of four this past week without any new cases reported - that three-day week-ending stretch happening for the second consecutive week. In addition to those days without any new cases, more positive news emerged in the five additional previous cases that are now listed as recovered, increasing that number to 86 recovered cases out of Allamakee County’s 118 total cases.
SEROLOGY TESTING
The State of Iowa coronavirus website, https://coronavirus.iowa.gov/, is now reporting serology testing results broken down by county. Serology testing is designed to detect antibodies produced in response to COVID-19, and public health officials say that those test results may return as positive in individuals who weren’t necessarily tested for COVID-19 in the first place, indicating that an individual with a positive serology test result may have had the virus and either did not have to seek medical treatment or did not show any symptoms.
Allamakee County is currently reporting 107 positive serology tests out of 309 total serology tests conducted in the county. Of those 309 total tests, 223 of them were conducted May 5, the day a State of Iowa strike force team conducted targeted COVID-19 testing at the AgriStar meat and poultry processing facility in Postville and reported 12 new positive cases of the actual COVID-19 virus. A total of 106 of the county’s current 107 positive serology tests were reported just four days after that AgriStar testing, May 9, but 117 of Allamakee County’s 202 total negative serology tests were also reported on that same day, May 9.
ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS LIFTED
During her Wednesday, May 20 press conference, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds announced the lifting of more restrictions that had been in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Governor Reynolds also said that she would be updating restrictions as her current disaster emergency proclamation reaches its May 27 end date.
Among restrictions eased as of Friday, May 22, movie theaters are now allowed to reopen at 50% capacity and with mitigation measures in place, and museums, aquariums and zoos were also allowed to open as long as they ensure social distancing and increased hygiene practices. Swimming pools may reopen for the limited purpose of lap swimming and conducting swimming lessons at the discretion of individual communities, but all swimming pools, wading pools, water slides, wave pools, spray pads, and bath houses shall continue to be closed overall.
Also starting Friday, May 22, Iowa state parks opened modern restrooms, shower buildings and cabins, allowing campgrounds to open to all campers, including RVs, pop-ups and tent camping. Youth group campsites will remain closed and campers should check with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for further public health guidelines.
School-sponsored activities are also allowed to resume, effective June 1. This includes summer high school sports such as baseball and softball.
Thursday, May 28, bars may be allowed to reopen for indoor and outdoor seating at 50% capacity, depending upon the Governor’s further updates this week. The Governor’s entire proclamation can be read at https://governor.iowa.gov/press-release/gov-reynolds-signs-new-proclamat....
