Terry Branstad Staying In China Despite Coronavirus

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds confirmed on Thursday that former Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, the current U.S. ambassador to China, will be staying in the country despite the issues surrounding the coronavirus outbreak.

The Cedar Rapids Gazette reports that while Reynolds has not talked directly to Branstad, indications are that he will stay in China for the time being. It is unknown if Branstad's wife Chris is planning on staying, but we do know that the couple's daughter, husband and their children do plan on returning to the United States.

Governor Reynolds appeared at a news conference yesterday to confirm that two Iowans are being tested for coronavirus after they returned from a trip to China and displayed symptoms. They are currently under voluntary home confinement as they are monitored by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

No coronavirus cases have been confirmed yet in Iowa. Reynolds called the situation very fluid, but assured Iowans that the risk for contracting coronavirus is "very low".