Central Iowa Times

A report sent to the White House Coronavirus Task Force recommends that Iowa and 17 other states institute tighter social restrictions due to recent increases in their numbers of COVID-19 cases.

The report tracks two statistical items of a location: The number of new coronavirus cases identified during the prior week and the percentage rate of the location's population who test positive. 

If there are more than 100 new cases per 100,000 of an area's population identified during the prior week, that area would is classified in the "red zone" for new cases. If the number of new cases found is between 10 and 100 per 100,000 people, the area is considered "yellow zone." For less than 10 new cases per 100,000, the area is in the "green zone."

If a location's rate for its residents testing positive for the coronavirus is greater than 10% of the total number being tested, the location is classified in the "red zone" for test positivity. A rate from 5% to 10% is considered "yellow zone," and less than 5% puts the location in the "green zone."

The report, dated July 14, shows Iowa to be in the "red zone" for new coronavirus cases and in the "yellow zone" for test positivity. It also identifies five Iowa counties as "red zone" locations: Clark, Franklin, Osceola, Sioux and Webster counties. The document lists 42 additional counties as being "yellow zone."

Recommended restrictions for "red zone" areas include the closure of gyms and bars, a limit of 10 or fewer people at social gatherings, and other measures. "Yellow zone" restrictions are somewhat less stringent, recommending a 25% limit on gym capacity and no more than 25 people at social gatherings.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds recently reopened the state, canceling all coronavirus-related restrictions. 

"You will not see me shut down the entire state," Reynolds said in a release issued by Iowa Public Radio. She might instead implement specific restrictions as case numbers rise.