DES MOINES, Iowa - Researchers at the University of Iowa say the number of COVID-19/coronavirus cases in the state will likely continue to rise.
The state's released a report from the school's COVID-19 response group that says "evidence shows that COVID-19 will continue to spread in Iowa, likely at an increasing rate."
It goes on to say "measures currently taken to combat the infection have not been sufficient to stop the epidemic from continuing to accelerate."
The report says its estimates do not account for any loosening of social distancing or business closures occurring in the state.
It said the recent lifting of COVID-19 restrictions will likely delay any decline in the spread of the virus.
The report, which was compiled by IU researchers for the Iowa Department of Public Health is dated May 4th, shortly after COVID-19 restrictions were loosened in 77 counties. It was released by Governor Reynold's office May 15th.
The report said "The State of Iowa is sufficiently interconnected that we expect continued growth of COVID-19, even in the absence of any measures to relax social distancing or to reopen previously closed businesses and religious institutions."
It also differed from Governor Kim Reynolds contention that much of Iowa's virus outbreak has been centered in nursing homes and factories. "Importantly, even though much of the recent spread in Iowa has been attributed to clusters (e.g., workplaces, long term care facilities), continued increase in community spread is expected," the report said.
The report said the full effects of reopening the state would not be known for several weeks.," the report said.