Just over 1.3% of Iowa’s population has been tested so far for COVID-19. According to the Iowa Department of Public Health, as of Wednesday 41,337 people have been tested and of those 6,843 people have been confirmed to have the upper respiratory virus. Iowa has had 148 people die from the virus.

Starting Friday, businesses in 77 of Iowa’s counties that were closed due to the pandemic will be able to start opening. Of those allowed to reopen are restaurants, so long as they operate at 50% capacity and maintain distance between patrons. When asked if he’d feel comfortable going out to eat this weekend Senator Chuck Grassley says, “I believe so if I wore a mask and there was at least six feet between people and between tables, yes.”

The remaining 22 counties are to continue current restrictions and safety measures for another two weeks. Washington, Louisa, Johnson, Iowa, and Henry counties are included in the 22 counties that are to continue current measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.