Hunter
04/02/20
Governor Kim Reynolds says the latest University of Washington medical institute projections of deaths in her state is based on incomplete information.
The Governor, speaking at her daily news conference, did not disclose what the state’s internal projections show but said that she believes that the current projection showing upwards of 1400 Iowans dying from COVID-19 doesn’t take into account the measures she has put into place, including the recommendation that schools be closed for a month, and ordering the closure of non-essential businesses.
A spokesperson for the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaulation told the Cedar Rapids Gazette earlier this week that recommendations instead of orders, and the failure to issue an official shelter-in-place order for the state, puts it at higher risk.
Their figures are based on practicing social distancing through the end of May. State public health officials have said the COVID-19 peak will occur in mid-to-late April.
Governor Reynolds also said Wednesday that she expects to issue an additional state public health emergency declaration on Thursday, which will likely extend her recommendation of school closures from April 12th to the end of the month.
