The Iowa Department of Public Health today (Thursday), said that as of 10 a.m.  the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases since the beginning of the pandemic had reached 272,444. The IDPH confirmed 1,425 additional COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours. The IDPH reported 71 additional COVID-19 deaths for a statewide death toll of 3,739. Since the beginning of the pandemic, 224,820 Iowans have recovered from COVID-19. In our area, Mills and Montgomery Counties are reported one additional death, each, while Pottawattamie County had two more deaths to report.

The IDPH reports 127 COVID-19 outbreaks among long-term care facilities in the state, accounting for 5,204 of Iowa’s total positive cases. COVID-19 outbreaks at long-term care facilities account for 1,137 of the state’s total deaths.

According to the state’s website, a total of 1,332,934 Iowans received COVID-19 tests. IDPH reports 625 hospitalizations, of which 127 Iowans are in intensive care units. Iowa hospitals admitted 106 in the last 24 hours, compared to 113 admitted the day before. Of those in the hospital, 70 patients are on ventilators.

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).

Iowa’s average reported positivity rate is 12.4% over the last 14 days. Of the state’s confirmed cases, 224,821 Iowans recovered.

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}; 14
• Montgomery, 696; {+1}; 15
• Pottawattamie County, 8,014; {+57}; 89
• Shelby County, 914; {+3}; 23
• Union County,  998; {+7}; 16