Dubuque Times

Dubuque County authorities expressed skepticism toward a new statewide COVID-19 testing program.

Test Iowa, which Gov. Kim Reynolds announced on April 21, is intended to make testing accessible to many Iowans, as well as create a database through which they can check if they should be tested for the coronavirus.

County leaders agreed with Test Iowa’s premise, but take issue with how information on www.testiowa.com and other materials are only in English. Diane Pape-Freiberger, a member of the Dubuque County Board of Health said that is a form of exclusion.

“They’re also assuming people have computers,” Pape-Freiberger told the Telegraph Herald. “That is looking at one population, but not the whole state of Iowa.”

As of May 2, Iowa reported 7,884 cases and 170 deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Iowa is among the few states that did not implement a stay-at-home order, but Reynolds instead ordered some businesses closed while allowing others to remain open.

The governor shuttered salons, barbershops, tattoo parlors, tanning facilities and swimming pools closed, according to the Des Moines Register. Restaurants and bars temporarily suspended dine-in service for takeout or delivery.

Dubuque County Board of Supervisors member Ann McDonough had doubts towards the contractor hired to create the database and questioned the cost of testing.

According to the governor, the state earmarked $26 million for Test Iowa, the Telegraph Herald reported.

Ed Raber, interim executive director for the Dubuque County Board of Supervisors, said the program overlooks areas in Iowa where testing is scant at best.

“There’s 10 counties that have a lot more cases,” Raber told the Telegraph Herald. “We will be weeks out on this.”

County officials still urge residents to use Test Iowa. An assessment takes just a few minutes, according to McDonough.