The Iowa Department of Public Health Wednesday (as of 10-a.m., said there were 1,652 new, confirmed positive cases of COVID-19, for a pandemic total to-date of 278,600, and 10 additional deaths, for a statewide death toll of 3,822. Of Iowa’s pandemic-related deaths, COVID-19 is reported as the underlying cause for 3,497 deaths. The health department warned Tuesday that some test results could be delayed due to the snowstorm. The IDPH says that transports from test sites to the State Hygienic Lab were canceled in some parts of the state. This will cause delays when processing and reporting the test results to Iowans. Of the state’s 3,822 deaths, 3,507 list COVID-19 as the underlying cause, while 315 list it as a contributing factor.

The Iowa DPH reports 111 COVID-19 outbreaks among long-term care facilities in the state (3 less than Tuesday), accounting for 4,7391 of Iowa’s current positive cases. COVID-19 outbreaks at long-term care facilities account for 1,138 of the state’s total deaths. Health officials say 3,141 LTC patients/staff have recovered from the virus.

Iowa DPH reports hospitalizations declined from 620 Tuesday to 612 this morning. There are: 127 patients in an ICU (10 more than Tuesday);  105 were admitted to hospitals (compared to 77 Tuesday), and 66 patients are on ventilators. Hospitals in western/southwest Iowa (RMCC Region 4) report: 38 hospitalized; 15 are in an ICU; 7 people was admitted to a hospital, and 6 people are on a ventilator.

According to the state’s website, a total of 1,350,880 Iowans received COVID-19 tests. Iowa’s average reported positivity rate is 12.0% over the last 14 days. The health department says 236,656 Iowans have recovered from COVID-19.

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, 1,021 cases; {+2}; 38 deaths
• Adair, 592; {+1}; 17
• Adams, 256; {+2}; 2
• Audubon, 368; {+0}; 7
• Guthrie, 942; {+7}; 22
• Harrison County, 1,412; {+5}; 52
• Madison County, 952; {+12}; 8
• Mills County, 1,260; {+0}; 14
• Montgomery, 739; {+9}; 15
• Pottawattamie County, 8,142; {+35}; 93
• Shelby County, 935; {+5}; 24
• Union County,  1,012; {+4}; 18