DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The number of people hospitalized with the coronavirus in Iowa dipped below 500 Sunday, for the first time since October. The Iowa Department of Public Health said 474 people were being treated for COVID-19 in hospitals Sunday, which was down from 505 on Saturday. The last time the number of people hospitalized was below 500, was back on Oct. 18. This (Monday) morning (as of 10-a.m.), the State reported there were 428 new cases, for a total of 305,279, and 266, 454 recovered. IDPH says 1,422,939 persons have been tested in the State. The IDPH says virus numbers reported today and tomorrow may be affected by Friday’s snowstorm and today’s Federal Holiday. The 14-day positivity rate is 12.9%, down slightly from Sunday’s 13%.

The state reports one death over the previous 24-hours, to give Iowa a total of 4,324 deaths since the pandemic began. Of those who died, 3,950 had an underlying cause, while COVID-19 was a contributing factor in 373 deaths. Long-Term Care (LTC) facility deaths stand at 1,761. There are 76 Outbreaks at LTC’s facilities (One less than on Sunday). Patients and staff who have tested positive amount to 1,938, while persons recovered number 1,002.

Hospitalizations have increased from 474 on Sunday, to 483 today. There are: 84 COVID patients in an ICU (down from 93 Sunday); 58 people were admitted to a hospital (compared to 61 previously), and 38 are on a ventilator (down 3 from before). In southwest/western Iowa RMCC Region 4, there are: 36 hospitalized with COVID symptoms; 13 in an ICU; one person was admitted, and seven remain on a ventilator.

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, 1,126 cases; {+1}; 41 deaths
• Adair, 686; {+0}; 20
• Adams, 295; {+0}; 3
• Audubon, 412; {+1}; 8
• Guthrie, 1,027 {+2}; 24
• Harrison County, 1,547; {+3}; 62
• Madison County, 1,188; {+2}; 9
• Mills County, 1,360; {+0}; 16
• Montgomery, 840; {+0}; 22
• Pottawattamie County, 8,942; {+7}; 112
• Shelby County, 1013; {+1}; 26
• Union County,  1,081; {+0}; 22