Iowa Health officials today (Thursday, as of 10-a.m.) report the State has topped 50,000 positive cases of COVID-19. The data show 488 new cases confirmed since Wednesday, for a total of 50,135.  There have also been five more deaths in the State attributed to COVID-19 since 10-a.m. Wednesday, for a total of 954. Long-Term Care facility deaths account for 511 of the State’s death toll.

Here in Cass County, there was another increase in the number of positive cases, from 79 Wednesday, to 82 today. Of those, 47 have recovered from the virus. Adair County has five more positive cases, for a total of 35. There were also increases of one case each, in Adams, Guthrie and Montgomery Counties, and 10 new cases in Pottawattamie County. There was also one additional death reported in Pott. County, for a total of 29. The 14-day Positivity Rate for area Public School officials to determine if they need to change instructional plans, is as follows, with an action rate of 15% or greater allowed to apply for a waiver to hold classes online, and if 10% of students are absent: Cass & Adair Counties: 9%; Adams: 5%; Audubon: 3%; Guthrie: 6%; Montgomery: 8%; Pottawattamie: 10%; Shelby County: 14%.

The IDPH says 537,330 Iowans have been tested, 5,322 tested negative since 10-a.m. Wednesday, for a total of 484,024 to-date. And, 39,214 Iowans have recovered from the virus. Hospitalization data show: 261 are hospitalized with COVID-19 symptoms; 88 are in an ICU; 38 were admitted to a hospital since Wednesday, and 25 people remain on a ventilator.

Southwest/western Iowa hospitals report: 12 people are in a hospital with COVID-19; Five people are in an ICU; There were 2 persons admitted and no one on a ventilator. Long-Term Care (LTC) data today, show: 28 Outbreaks; 847 patients/staff have tested positive; and 492 have recovered.

Here are the latest positive case numbers for southwest/western Iowa since 10-a.m. Wednesday (County; Positive Case #’s; number of persons who have (recovered); {deaths since the outbreak began}. Counties with changes since Monday, have highlighted numbers:

• Cass County: 82 cases  (47); 1 death
• Adair County: 35 cases (20)
• Adams County: 17 cases (16)
• Audubon County: 29 cases (18); 1 death
• Guthrie County: 137 cases (107); 5 deaths
• Montgomery County: 61 cases (41); 4 deaths
• Pottawattamie County: 1,352 cases (1,013); 29 deaths
• Shelby County: 187 cases (167); 1 death.