(Updated 12:25-p.m.) Officials with the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) reported 24 deaths and 622 new cases today (Wednesday). That brings the statewide total to 18,256 positive cases and 488 deaths. IDPH reported also, 139,157 Iowans have been tested for the virus, while 9,929 have recovered. Iowa’s hospitalization data has remained flat or trending downward for about two weeks. The data shows 120,464 Iowans have tested negative for COVID-19, a continued increase over the past few days.

There are currently 393 Iowans hospitalized, with 109 patients in intensive care and 66 patients on ventilators. IDPH reported 32 patients admitted in the last 24 hours. IDPH reported approximately 3,640 inpatient beds available, with 485 ICU beds available. There are currently 742 ventilators available in the state. There are currently COVID-19 outbreaks in 37 of Iowa’s long-term care facilities. IDPH reported 1,606 individuals testing positive, with 713 recovered and 257 deaths.

For Cass and surrounding Counties, the number of positive test results and (the number of recovered), have changed a little bit. Cass County 11 positive cases (2 have now recovered); Adair County: 7 (3); Adams County: 6 (1); Audubon County: 12 (8); Guthrie County: 44 (29); Montgomery County: 6 (5); Shelby County: 34 (25) and Pottawattamie County: 221 (137).

In RMCC Region 4 (Southwest/western Iowa), eight people are hospitalized for COVID-19, three are in an ICU, and two were admitted to a hospital.