Coronavirus updates: Household gatherings could be to blame for latest spike in COVID-19 cases

61 Iowa care facilities report COVID-19 outbreaks, 18 counties report high positivity rate [View in a Browser]( [KETV NewsWatch 7]( CORONAVIRUS UPDATES Oct 14, 2020 [Facebook logo]( [Twitter logo]( [Youtube logo]( The Latest A leading health expert says small gatherings are contributing to an increase of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in at least 36 states. During a call with U.S. governors Tuesday, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Robert Redfield said it’s important to stress continued use of masks, hand-washing and social distancing ahead of the holidays, when many Americans attend small household gatherings. Experts have also warned to use caution around college students, who will start returning home soon, and often show mild or no symptoms at all but can still spread COVID-19 to others. TOP STORIES [A record number of Iowans are hospitalized with coronavirus as 61 long-term care facilities report outbreaks and 18 counties report a high positivity rate.]( [61 Iowa care facilities report COVID-19 outbreaks, 18 counties report high positivity rate »]( [That number exceeds the record set last weekend and remains well above the spring peak of 232 set on May 27. ]( [Nebraska set another new record for COVID-19 hospitalizations Wednesday »]( [Here you can get the latest information on the coronavirus, or COVID-19, in Nebraska and resources to be prepared and keep your family safe.]( [Coronavirus in Nebraska, Iowa: The latest headlines and resources to keep you informed »]( ['So, we are prepared': Last week, the health system asked nurses from out of state to be on standby. ]( [CHI Health plans to ensure there's enough staff if hospitalizations surge »]( MORE STORIES [Seasonal affective disorder could hit particularly hard this year, especially after months of social distancing and limited contact with family or large groups.]( [How to guard against seasonal affective disorder in the pandemic's winter months »]( [With studies this large, experts say unrelated incidents are a possibility.]( [Vaccine expert says pause in Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 study is not unusual »]( [Drugmaker Pfizer has plans to start testing its experimental coronavirus vaccine in children as young as 12.]( [Pfizer to start testing its COVID-19 vaccine in children as young as 12 »]( [Small gatherings are becoming a growing source of COVID-19 spread, a leading health expert said, as at least 36 states are now reporting increased cases of the virus.]( [Small household gatherings are helping drive the surge of coronavirus cases, expert says »]( MANAGE YOUR ACCOUNT [Manage your email newsletter subscriptions »]( For the very latest information, download our free apps [Download our iOS app]( [Download our Android app]( [KETV NewsWatch 7]( [Facebook logo]( [Twitter logo]( [YouTube logo]( To ensure email delivery, add emailnews@email.ketv.com to your address book or safe senders list © 2020 Hearst Television Inc. 300 W 57th Street, New York NY 10019 [Privacy Notice]( | [Terms of Use]( | [Unsubscribe](