Gov. Reynolds has offered some hope for reopening Iowa again, sooner rather than later.

During her daily press briefing Friday morning, the governor said health care providers can resume elective surgeries and procedures through a phased-in approach, starting Monday. Farmers markers will also be allowed to operate again next week, with some restrictions.

The governor said she plans to make another announcement Monday regarding Iowa's shuttered businesses. Reynolds wasn't specific on which ones, but she indicated that some businesses ordered to close to prevent the spread of COVID-19 will be reopening May 1.

The latest figures released by the Iowa Department of Public Health Friday showed an additional 521 positive cases of the coronavirus, increasing the statewide total to 4,445. According to Reynolds, 30 percent of those cases are related to manufacturing and 15 percent are related to long-term care facilities.

Currently, 278 Iowans are hospitalized with symptoms of COVID-19. Another 1,604 have recovered.

Reynolds announced steps to begin reopening Iowa on a day when the state recorded its highest number of new cases and deaths.

State health officials announced 11 additional deaths on Friday, increasing the total in Iowa to 107. The deaths included a Bremer County adult over the age of 81. Scott County also had one death, Linn County had four and Polk County had two.

The state's numbers also included the three deaths from Black Hawk County that local health officials announced Thursday afternoon. The victims were identified as an adult between the ages of 41 and 60, and two adults between the ages of 61 and 80.

COVID-19 has claimed a total of nine lives in Black Hawk County. On Friday, local officials announced two more deaths.

While some parts of Iowa are showing signs of improvement, coronavirus cases continue to surge in Black Hawk County. Local health officials also announced 95 new positive cases Friday, increasing the county's number to 717. Officials have linked 90 percent of those cases to the Tyson Fresh Meats plant that voluntarily shut down this week in Waterloo.

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