Coronavirus in Iowa, live updates for May 2: 757 new cases reported

2:52 p.m. TPI Composites in Newton reports finding 20 percent of workers had COVID-19 after proactive self test

TPI Composites, Inc. a wind blade manufacturer based in Newton, reported roughly 20 percent of its workers had tested positive for the coronavirus after it conducted a 'proactive self test” on April 25.

In a release, the company stated that the workers at the Newton plant had undergone a mandatory test for COVID-19 due to the increasing presence of the disease in nearby counties amd a 'significant number of positive cases” at its plant. After the test was conducted, in collaboration with the state of Iowa, TPI paused production and performed a deepl clean on the facility. In addition, the company provided surgical masks to the family members of workers and offered hotel rooms to affected workers to allow social isolation, according to the release.

After receiving the majority of the test results back, TPI announced that 1 in 5 of its workers had contracted the disease, according to the release.

11:05 a.m. 757 more cases of coronavirus reported in Iowa

The Iowa Department of Public Health reported 757 additional positive cases of COVID-19 Saturday - another high for daily counts - and for a total of 8,641 positive cases.

Five more deaths also were reported by the department, for a total of 175 deaths attributed to the virus.

There have been an additional 3,377 negative tests for a total of 41,085 negative tests to date, which includes testing reported by the State Hygienic Lab in Coralville and other labs.

Eighty-seven percent of new positive cases today are in the 22 counties where restrictions remain in place - 493 of the new 757 positive cases are from Black Hawk, Dallas, Polk and Woodbury counties.

Among those tested positive, 353 currently are hospitalized, and 3,156 Iowans have recovered. At this time, one in 63 Iowans have already been tested.

The five deaths were in the following counties:

' Linn County - 2 older adults (61-80 years)

' Polk County - 1 older adult (61-80 years)

' Tama County - 1 older adult (61-80 years)

' Woodbury County - 1 older adult (61-80 years)

10:48 a.m.: BLOOD DRIVE SET FOR WEDNESDAY

American Red Cross of Iowa will host a blood drive Wednesday from noon to 5 p.m. at Teahen Funeral Home in Cedar Rapids. According to the organization's website, thousands of blood drives have been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Appointments are now required to support social distancing. Anyone interested in donating can select a time online or via phone at 1-800 RED CROSS. Donors will be mailed a coupon for Culver's frozen custard.

10:45 a.m.: HY-VEE TO GIVE AWAY BANANAS

Hy-Vee will give away more than 32,000 bananas to customers at Coral Ridge Mall this Tuesday, courtesy Dole Food Co. The giveaway will start at 4 p.m. and continue until 6 p.m., or while supplies last. One bag per customer, and each bag will contain approximately a dozen bananas.