(Update 10-a.m.) The Iowa Department of Public Health, Thursday, reported 841 new cases of the COVID-19 virus since 10-a.m. Wednesday, for a pandemic total of 327,255 positive cases. There were 22 additional deaths reported, for a total of 5,196. Statewide, 4,690 COVID deaths are attributed to Underlying causes. COVID was a contributing factor to 506 deaths. Deaths at Long-Term Care (LTC) facilities account for 2,124 deaths. There were two more deaths in the KJAN listening area: One more in both Guthrie and Harrison Counties (see more data below).

Long-Term Care facility outbreaks went from 39 Wednesday to 38 today (Thursday). LTC patients testing positive amount to 1,046, with 678 having recovered from the virus. The State data show 273 people are hospitalized with COVID-19, which is down from 292 in the previous report. Officials say 64 patients are in an ICU, 32 were admitted over the previous 24-hours, and 26 patients are on ventilators. In RMCC Region 4 (Hospitals in western/southwest Iowa), 13 are hospitalized with COVID symptoms, seven people are in an ICU, one person was admitted over the past 24-hours, and one person was on a ventilator.

Iowa’s statewide positivity rate is up a bit. The 14-day positivity rate is 8.4% compared to 8.6% on Wednesday. The 7-day average was down slightly to 6.2%.   A total of 299,122 Iowans have recovered from the virus.

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, 1,223 cases; {+2}; 46 deaths
• Adair, 755; {+31}; 25
• Adams, 313; {+0}; 3
• Audubon, 449 {+0}; 9
• Guthrie, 1,067 {+0}; 28
• Harrison County, 1,640; {+3}; 68
• Madison County, 1,352; {+1}; 16
• Mills County, 1,446; {+8}; 20
• Montgomery, 949; {+4}; 35
• Pottawattamie County, 9,538; {+30}; 138
• Shelby County, 1,116; {+3}; 32
• Union County,  1,165; {+6}; 31