Officials with the Pottawattamie County Public Health Department have reported six new, positive cases of COVID-19, bring the total number of cases to 42. The information released today (Thursday) said 20 of the 42 individuals have recovered, 19 are self-isolating at home, one is hospitalized, and as previously mentioned, there have been two deaths.

The six new cases are residents of Council Bluffs and include two females and four males. Two are between the ages of 61-and 80. Three are between 41-and 60 years of age, and one is age 18-to 40. Four have pre-existing conditions. All six cases were the result of “Community spread, ” and all six are self-isolating at home.

Officials say as testing capacity increases, the number of positive cases reported will also increase. Contact tracing investigations are conducted any time a case of COVID-19 is confirmed.  That includes an assessment of risk to the general public. If there is no risk, Pott. County Public Health will communicate directly with specific contacts identified in the investigation.

If and when a risk to the general public is identified, public health officials will identify the location and communicate any plan of action those who may have been in the area, should take.