For the sixth consecutive day, more than 4,000 Iowans have tested positive for the coronavirus. As the virus continued its rapid spread, the Iowa Department of Public Health reported Thursday the number of people being treated in hospitals increased to 1,208 patients. Researchers at Johns Hopkins University report the seven-day rolling average of the positivity rate in Iowa has risen over the past two weeks from nearly 29% on Oct. 28 to 50% on Nov. 11. Iowa’s rate is second in the nation to South Dakota, which is at 54.5%.

In her press conference late Thursday morning, Governor Kim Reynolds said since November 1^st, there have been more than 37,000 new cases of COVID-19 in Iowa at an average positivity rate statewide of 21.8%. She broke the cases down to their respective age brackets.

She highest the highest number of new cases continue to be in the most populated counties, smaller, rural counties are far exceeding them, when comparing cases per 100,000.

Reynolds said contrary to some media reports warning people may not be able to receive care because hospital beds are full of covid patients, her team has assured her that is not the case.

The Governor said there has been a significant increase (72%) in hospitalizations of patients age 60 and older, many of whom have other health issues.

Reynolds said the State’s Coronavirus website (Coronavirus.Iowa.Gov) will be updated to include the age demographics of currently confirmed COVID-19 hospitalizations. The new data will also include a daily breakdown of hospitalizations by age, going back to July 23^rd, when the data was first required by the Feds. The age groups will also be categorized differently.

The Governor said also TestIowa sites have reopened after being closed for the Veterans Day holiday. Each site has added 200 more appointments to their daily schedules. She says 520 appointments will be available at the Council Bluffs site.