Healthcare

With COVID-19 vaccines on the way to Iowa in weeks, healthcare officials are urging Iowans to be patient.

Dust. Lots of Dust. And Pollen.

The latest numbers show Black Hawk County with 379 cases, the fourth-highest total in the state.

The number of local cases has surged to 356, more than 40 percent of which are linked to an outbreak at the Tyson Fresh Meats plant in Waterloo.

The governor made the announcement Friday morning, saying it was difficult decision as the coronavirus cases continue to surge across the state.

Local officials attribute the increase in cases to an outbreak at the Tyson Foods meat processing plant in Waterloo.

The Governor's proclamation goes into effect at midnight and continues through April 30 Black Hawk, Benton, Bremer, Buchanan, Fayette and eight other counties.

The number of positive tests is now close to 2,000 statewide.

Health officials reported the biggest daily surge in the number of new coronavirus cases, both statewide and locally.

Bartels Lutheran Retirement Community is among six long-term facilities in Iowa where three or more cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed.