By: Donovan W. Mann – [email protected]
Des Moines, IA – Upon discovery of the existence of substantial community spread of COVID-19 in the state of Iowa, Governor Kim Reynolds is recommending that Iowa schools close for four weeks.
Reynolds says the Iowa Department of Public Health has determined there to be 22 positive cases of COVID-19 in Iowa at this time.
Because of the risk of community spread, the governor has recommended that all schools close their doors for the next month. In response, Algona, Lu Verne, Eagle Grove, Hampton-Dumont, Humboldt, Manson/Northwest Webster St., Mary’s, and Twin Rivers Schools will be closing for four weeks. Emmetsburg Schools will be closing until further notice.
Gilmore City-Bradgate and West Bend Mallard schools will be closed until March 27th.
The following schools are closed starting Monday, March 16th, but have not yet released a statement on whether they will closing for an extended amount of time.
Fort Dodge
Pocahontas Area
Gov. Reynolds’ recommendation comes in consultations with the Iowa Deparment of Public Health and based on CDC guidelines found at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/ – for more information regarding COVID-19, the Iowa Department of Public Health has established a 24/7 hotline available by calling 2-1-1.