(Updated 10-a.m.) The Iowa Department of Public Health today (Thursday) reports 461 Iowans have tested positive for COVID-19 since Wednesday, for a total of 27,062 (9.8% of all persons tested). Of the total number of cases, 6,898 patients had a pre-existing condition. Authorities said also, four more people have died from the virus, for a total of 694. Officials say 487 of those who have died also had a pre-existing medical condition.

The number of Iowans who have tested negative is 247,994. The number who have recovered is 16,926. A total of 275,442 tests have been completed. COVID-19 outbreaks at Long-Term Care facilities (LTC’s) continues to decline, and as of today, is down to 28. Health officials say 830 staff/residents of those facilities have tested positive for the virus, 521 have recovered and there is no change in the number of LTC deaths (356).

In southwest/western Iowa RMCC Region 4, six patients are hospitalized (1 less than Wed., two are in an ICU, there were no new admissions, and one person remains on a ventilator. Statewide the numbers continue to decline, with 137 hospitalized, 42 in an ICU, and 26 on ventilators. Thirteen people were admitted to a hospital over the past 24-hours, as compared to 22 yesterday (Wednesday).

Overall, the number of Iowans tested is on the rise, the number of COVID-19 positive cases remains nearly steady, the number of those who have recovered is on the decline, and the number of deaths are also down.

In the immediate KJAN listening area, the positive COVID-19 cases and (/) the number of persons who have recovered, are as follows: *(reflects a change since Wed.)

• Cass: 16/16
• Adair: 14/11*
• Adams: 7/5
• Audubon: 15/11
• Guthrie: 63/48
• Montgomery: 10/7
• Pottawattamie: 648/440
• Shelby: 97 (an increase of 10 positive cases) 54 have recovered.