The focus of Gov. Kim Reynolds’ COVID-19 press conference on Wednesday morning shifted away from coronavirus and vaccinations to other controversial topics at the end of her weekly briefing. Prior to opening the floor to questions from the press, Reynolds reported more than 1.1 million Iowans, or about 35 percent of the state’s population, are now fully vaccinated. However, vaccine supply is outpacing demand. Reynolds says state officials are working to identify common factors behind Iowans’ hesitancy to roll up their sleeves for the shot.
Last week, Reynolds announced she would be returning $95 million in federal funding that had been allocated through the American Rescue Plan for COVID-19 surveillance testing in the state’s K-12 schools. She says Iowa already possesses sufficient testing inventory and money from previous coronavirus relief packages.