Another 85 Iowa residents test positive for coronavirus

The number of Iowa residents who have tested positive for the new coronavirus soared by 85, bringing the total number of cases in the state to nearly 700.

The Department of Public Health announced Friday that the latest cases were scattered through 31 counties, from Lyon County in the state’s northwest corner to Van Buren County in southeast Iowa. Polk County had 13 cases and Linn County had 14.

The statewide total rose to 699 cases. No additional deaths were reported in Iowa.

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Two of the largest banks in Iowa say they aren’t ready to take applications for the $349 billion small business aid program that began Friday.

MidwestOne Bank and Bankers Trust announced late Thursday that they still do not have enough information from the Small Business Administration to proceed.

Both indicated they would begin processing applications as soon as they had the answers to key questions. A MidwestOne vice president told customers that banks “do not yet have critical program details” and warned that submitting inaccurate or incorrect applications would delay their aid.

Des Moines-based Bankers Trust says it's disappointed in the lack of guidance and delay.

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