Iowa sees Sunday surge of COVID-19 deaths, confirmed cases

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - Iowa saw a surge of COVID-19 deaths and coronavirus cases over a 36-hour period, with 10 additional deaths and 436 new cases confirmed by midday Monday.

The state’s online dashboard showed 459 total deaths since the state’s first COVID-19 death two months ago. The state had reported 449 by midday Saturday. Figures also showed 17,555 in total have tested positive for the virus, with 342 of those cases confirmed Sunday and another 94 confirmed by midday Monday. The dashboard showed 9,355 had recovered.

The numbers were released as the mayors of seven Iowa cities penned an editorial appearing in the Des Moines Register calling on federal officials - including Iowa congressional delegates - to “provide unrestricted aid for our cities to assist in supporting our front-line workers,” including health care workers, police and firefighters.

Forcing cities to declare bankruptcy would lead to employee layoffs and pay cuts and would force the elimination of some essential city services, the letter said. It was signed by the mayors of Des Moines, West Des Moines, Ankeny, Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Dubuque and Waterloo.

For some infected people, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, the virus can cause severe illness or death. But for most people, it causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough, that clear up in two to three weeks.

Check out more of the AP’s coronavirus coverage at https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak