The Iowa Department of Public Health today (7-a.m. Thursday), said the number of Iowans hospitalized with COVID-19 or symptoms of COVID, were down from 644 Wednesday to 625, today. Other hospitalization data show: 127 COVID patients are in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU), compared to 139 yesterday; 106 people were admitted to hospitals across the state (compared to 113 Wednesday), and 70 were on a ventilator. Hospitals in western/southwest Iowa (RMCC Region 4) report: 43 hospitalized (1 more the previous); 14 are in an ICU (1 less than Wed.); seven people were admitted (compared to five previously), and seven are on a ventilator (one less the yesterday).

As of today, there are a total of 272,441 confirmed Positive cases of the virus statewide since Iowa’s outbreak began, with an additional 1,422 cases confirmed (since 10-a.m. Wednesday).   Iowa’s average reported positivity rate is 12.4% over the last 14 days.

Wednesday, the IDPH said another 15 people in Iowa died from the coronavirus, and there were nearly 2,000 confirmed infections. The state Department of Public Health said there were 15 additional deaths, raising the total death toll to 3,668. (We’ll get an update on that data later this morning)

In the KJAN listening area, here are the current number positive cases by County; The # of new cases since yesterday {+} – if any; and the total number of deaths in each county to date:

• Cass, 1,005 cases; {+5}; 38 deaths
• Adair, 561; {+7}; 17
• Adams, 245; {+4}; 2
• Audubon, 363; {+1}; 7
• Guthrie, 916; {+12}; 22
• Harrison County, 1,379; {+14}; 52
• Madison County, 904; {+8}; 8
• Mills County, 1,249; {+7}; 13
• Montgomery, 696; {+1}; 14
• Pottawattamie County, 8,014; {+57}; 87
• Shelby County, 915; {+4}; 23
• Union County,  998; {+7}; 16