Virus cases spike among young adults in Iowa college towns

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Within weeks of Gov. Kim Reynolds agreeing to allow bars and restaurants to open to customers, Iowa's two major college towns are seeing spikes in coronavirus cases among young adults, raising concerns among local health officials and prompting some businesses to again close their doors.

Business owners in Iowa have welcomed the governor's move to end most restrictions that had been imposed over the spring to slow the spread of the coronavirus, but some in Ames and Iowa City now are unsure what to do as cases rise. The cities are home to Iowa State University and the University of Iowa, the state's largest colleges.

“The governor opened up bars and all of a sudden, it’s like all great but it’s not,” said Claudio Gianello, owner of Café Beaudelaire and Macubana restaurants near the Iowa State campus. “Once the bars opened, it exploded.”

Gianello said he saw bars crowded with young people who didn't observe social distancing and then heard about the increasing case numbers. He decided last week to close his restaurants again just three weeks after reopening.

Because his staff is mostly young, he plans to test his workers and have meetings to inform them of the importance of staying healthy, staying home when they’re sick, wearing masks and cleaning thoroughly.

Other Ames campus area businesses posting closure notices due to the coronavirus include Stomping Grounds, a coffee shop and Welch Ave. Station, a bar.

Story County, where Ames is located, had 135 coronavirus cases in the week ending June 6 and had been relatively stable. About two weeks ago the trend upward began, and as of Monday, the county had posted 500 positive cases, a 270% increase in two weeks, said Les White, Story County Public Health director.

“The greatest...