DES MOINES, Iowa - The latest White House Coronavirus Task Force report says Iowa's high transmission of COVID-19 has led to "many preventable deaths".
The report made public Thursday by the state health department says Iowa has the 6th highest concentration of cases in the country.
It says Iowa remains at high levels for new cases and its positivity rate.
The report does not specifically call for a mask order, but does say masks must be worn indoors in all public settings and the size of group gatherings should be limited.
It also targets rural communities for messaging about the importance of wearing masks. Iowa currently has a COVID-19 outbreak in its northwest corner where counties have fewer residents.
The report notes nearly one third of nursing homes have at least one positive staff member. It says nursing home staff, K-12 teachers and first responders should be monitored for the virus.
The White House has left it up to states to decide whether to release the Task Force reports. The latest one released by Iowa is dated October 4th.