Due to the novel coronavirus outbreak the Iowa High School Speech Association has cancelled its remaining events for the season.

The IHSSA Executive Committee voted Thursday to cancel all individual state contests scheduled Saturday as well as the All-State Festival on March 30th at the University of Northern Iowa. The IHSSA states these changes were made for the health and safety of students, coaches, judges, and the host schools. The Executive Committee believes that the dramatic changes over the last 24 hours and the ever-changing landscape surrounding COVID-19 warranted cancellation of the events. They also discussed and reviewed comments sent in by member schools. They encourage local schools to hire judges to review and rate their students, and any student selected as an All-State speaker will receive a medal and recognition. Local contests are asked to be completed before the end of the school year.

Fourteen positive cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Iowa so far according to the Iowa Department of Public Health. Iowans are advised that they can help prevent the spread of this virus by washing hands frequently, covering coughs and sneezes, and staying home when ill.