Congressman Dave Loebsack continued his Coffee with a Congressman Tour with stops in Washington and Sigourney on Saturday. At the Washington Hy-Vee Loebsack met with constituents. When asked about the national response to COVID-19, the novel coronavirus outbreak, Loebsack said it should not be politicized, “We just have to make sure that we’re focused on the problem, and doing the right things that we need to get done. I wish Vice President Pence all the luck in the world, you know obviously. But we’re going to need a coordinated effort, there’s no doubt about it, not only at the federal level but at the state level.” He added that the state hygienic lab in Iowa can now test samples for COVID-19.

The Centers for Disease Control says that as of Monday, there have been 43 total cases of the upper-respiratory virus in 10 states with 17 hospitalized and two deaths.

There are two people undergoing testing in Iowa, but as of Monday the Iowa Department of Public Health states there have not been any positive cases of COVID-19 in Iowa. IDPH advises that for the general public the immediate health risk from COVID-19 is low. People are reminded to wash their hands frequently, cover their coughs, and contain illness by staying home when ill.