Statewide Iowa — The top two Democrats in the Iowa legislature are urging Republican Governor Kim Reynolds to order more frequent updates to COVID-related data on the Iowa Department of Public Health’s website.
The agency had been updating data several times a day, but in July switched to weekly updates on positive COVID test results and COVID patient loads in Iowa hospitals. House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst of Windsor Heights says that makes it harder for parents to make good decisions about sending their kids back to school.
A spokeswoman for the Iowa Department of Public Health says at this time, when numbers do not change at the same frequency as in the past, a weekly feed provides an appropriate level of awareness. Senate Minority Leader Zach Wahls of Coralville says more timely public information would help Iowans understand the challenges COVID-19 may present.
The public health department’s spokeswoman says the agency will continue to assess its response to ensure Iowans are equipped with information at a level that is appropriate.
