Iowa to End Mandatory Reporting of Positive COVID Tests

(Radio Iowa) There’s a landmark to observe in the pandemic, which first reached Iowa in March, 2020.

The state health department says as of April 1st, it will end the mandatory reporting of positive COVID-19 tests that are processed in clinical labs, and it will also end its weekly reports. Health officials say the numbers are no longer accurate as home tests are now inexpensive, plentiful and don’t have to be reported. Free home testing kits will be available from Test Iowa through year’s end. President Biden called for an end to the national public health emergency on May 11th. To date, coronavirus has killed more than 10,600 Iowans. Just last week, 2,300 Iowans tested positive for the virus.