Urbandale closes city facilities as Polk County COVID-19 cases climb
The city of Urbandale announced Tuesday that it will close all city facilities because COVID-19 cases increased by 20% this week in Polk County.
Starting Tuesday evening, pools, libraries, city hall and the fire and police stations will close. Additional closures can be found here.
The Urbandale closures will stay in place through the month of July.
“It just seemed like the prudent thing to do at this time,” Urbandale's Mayor Bob Andeweg said.
According to the Iowa Department of Public Health, Polk County averages 50-55 new cases per day. Polk County Health Officials call the increase a "disturbing trend."
“Everybody needs to take this very seriously,” Andeweg said. “The data is showing it is clearly far from over.”
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Tuesday that Iowans must self-quarantine for 14 days if they plan to visit the state.
Iowa joins a list of 15 other states considered to have significant community spread of COVID-19.
Gov. Kim Reynolds said during a news conference Tuesday that Iowa’s case increases are unlike case spikes in other parts of the country.
“We're not seeing happen things happening like what's happening in Florida, Texas and Arizona,” Reynolds said.
The governor also said testing continues to rise in Iowa and that hospitalizations are down.
Des Moines Infectious Disease Dr. Rossana Rosa warned Iowans that the impending Independence Day weekend is “no time to let our guard down.”
“Yes, we want to enjoy family, we want to enjoy friends, but we have to do it responsibly,” Rosa said.
Rosa said Iowans with plans for July 4 should plan on wearing face coverings and practicing social distancing.
Des Moines pushed its reopening back until July 20.
Polk County's building will remain closed until at least August 1.