The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) today (Thursday) says over the past 24-hours (10-a.m. Wed. thru 10-a.m. today), 20 more deaths were attributed to COVID-19, and 819 new positive cases of the virus. IDPH reports 71,956 total positive cases, 51,640 recoveries and 1,205 deaths since the pandemic began, including one more in Pottawattamie County. Pre-existing conditions accounted for 839 of the reported deaths.

There was one new, positive COVID-19 case reported each in Adair and Audubon Counties, two more in Guthrie County; 5 more cases in Pottawattamie and Shelby Counties, and one more in Madison County.

There have been 683,209 Iowans tested for COVID-19. IDPH reported 4,928 lab test results received in the previous day, with 438 positive results and 4,473 negative results, for a positivity rate of 9.7% over the last 14 days. The total number of negative test results to date is 609,737.

IDPH data show statewide, hospitalizations are down, with 302 in a hospital since Wednesday (Compared to 322 previously). There are two more patients in an ICU (85 total). Officials say 48 people were admitted to a hospital, up from 32 Wednesday, and 34 patients on a ventilator (down from 37 previously). The numbers in western/southwest Iowa are increasing: 13 patients are hospitalized with COVID-19 since Wednesday, when there were 11; 8 people are in an ICU (7 yesterday); two people were admitted to an area hospital (none the previous day), and three patients remain on ventilators.

There are now 30 long-term care facilities reporting a coronavirus outbreak in Iowa, up from 28 the previous day. More than half of Iowa’s COVID-19 deaths have been within long-term care facilities, at 644. IDPH reports 784 current positive cases and 368 recoveries within those facilities.

Here are the latest positive case numbers for southwest/western Iowa (County; Positive Case #’s; number of persons who have (recovered); {deaths since the outbreak began}.

• Cass County: 118 cases; (109); 2 deaths
• Adair County: 54 cases; (37); 1 death
• Adams County: 23 cases; (21)
• Audubon County: 42 cases; (29); 1 death
• Guthrie County: 185 cases; (144); 5 deaths
• Montgomery County: 83 cases; (76); 5 deaths
• Pottawattamie County: 1,739 cases; (1,506); 35 deaths
• Shelby County: 229 cases; (213); 1 death.
• Madison County, 175; (142); 2 deaths
• Harrison County, 157 cases; (139); 2 deaths