Fifth positive coronavirus case identified at Iowa Capitol Follow Us
Question of the Day By DAVID PITT - Associated Press - Tuesday, February 2, 2021
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - A fifth person working at the Iowa Capitol tested positive for the coronavirus on Tuesday.
Iowa House Chief Clerk Meghan Nelson said the individual was last in the building on Thursday and had worn a face covering at all times. The identity of positive cases is not routinely released by legislative branch officials, and Republican leaders have not required lawmakers to reveal a positive virus test so it’s not known if there have been undeclared cases.
February 1, 2021
Des Moines, Iowa Two people associated with the Iowa House tested positive Saturday for COVID according to an email sent to lawmakers and staff. State Representative Amy Nielsen, a Democrat from North Liberty, says she’s one of them.
Nielsen says she wore two face masks when she was inside the Capitol last week. During debate on Wednesday night on an abortion-related matter, Nielsen was wearing a white mask underneath a black one.
(cough) some may have a moral or religious objection to the use of birth control “Excuse me.”
Nielsen, who says she has mild symptoms, is among the Democrats who’ve blasted Republican leaders for failing to require mask wearing in the Capitol. Democrats have asked Republican House Speaker Pat Grassley to wear a mask during debate when they’re called to speak with him in the center of the chamber.
Mon., February 01, 2021
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This is John McGlothlen with the Gazette digital news desk and I’m here with your update for Monday, February 1st.
The Cedar Rapids area received between 5 to 7 inches of snowfall through Sunday afternoon, according to local weather spotters. Today will be mostly cloudy, with a high near 28, and winds from the northwest around 10 mph. Tonight s low should be around 14.
02/01/21
Iowa state representative Amy Nielsen announced Sunday that she’s tested positive for coronavirus, and believes she was infected at the Iowa Capitol, where there is no mask mandate.
In a Facebook post Sunday, Neilsen said “I have been safe and healthy since the first case made its way to Iowa last year. I’ve been working at the Capitol for three weeks.” She responded to a friend’s inquiry about how she was feeling, and said that she definitely feels sick, adding, “It’s very weird.”
It’s the first confirmed case among state legislators, but there have been three other positive cases among people associated with the House.
The Iowa Legislature has been in session since Jan. 11. Four people who work in the Capitol building have reported positive tests for the coronavirus since then. Rep. Amy Nielsen is the first lawmaker to report a positive test.