Coronavirus

New coronavirus cases and hospitalizations reached new lows this week as state and federal health data showed Iowa continuing to emerge from the latest COVID-19 surge.

Sen. Jason Schultz, a Republican from Schleswig, falsely claimed during a Senate committee meeting Wednesday that the COVID-19 vaccines are not effective or safe.

New COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths dropped in Iowa in the past week, continuing the virus’ downard trend.

The number of virus-related hospitalizations also is down as the state emerges from the omicron surge.

Tuesday marks the second anniversary since COVID-19 arrived in the state. In the two years since his bout with the virus, the first patient hospitalized with COVID-19 in Iowa says the virus continues its lasting impact on his health.

This week marks the second year since the novel coronavirus first arrived in Iowa, bringing with it a deadly disease that went on to kill thousands and infect tens of thousands more. But in recent weeks, things have changed. Some have begun to relax, wondering if COVID-19 finally is reaching endemic stage. However, for some vulnerable groups, the risk they still face has not changed.

The latest COVID-19 surge in Iowa continues to wind down as hospitalization rates have dropped this week. New cases did see a slight uptick, and vaccination rates continue its slow upward movement.

An Illinois business owner was convicted of fraud and money laundering for swindling University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics out of $2.6 million in personal protective equipment it never received.

Linn County Jail inmates who had their sentences postponed in March 2020 in response to COVID-19 have been returning to the jail to finish serving their time.

Alex Murphy, a spokesman for Gov. Kim Reynolds, has said Reynolds' staff members spent most of their time responding to the pandemic during the months in question.

During her response to the State of the Union address at 8 p.m. Tuesday, experts expect Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds to criticize Biden’s policies while touting hers in Iowa as examples of successfully balancing the pandemic against individual freedoms.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The superintendent of Iowa's largest school district announced Monday he would resign in June after a decade-long tenure, which included a standoff with the state's conservative governor over coronavirus protections that led to his public reprimand.

Masks will no longer be required inside Iowa City facilities as of Tuesday but still will be available to visitors, the city announced Monday. North Liberty and Coralville have also ended their mask mandates.

In line with revised CDC guidelines easing mask-wearing metrics for most Americans, the city of Cedar Rapids and Linn County have lifted requirements that masks be worn to curb the spread of COVID-19 in municipal facilities

Most Americans live in places where healthy people, including students in schools, can safely take a break from wearing masks under new U.S. guidelines released Friday.