The Iowa Department of Public Health, Wednesday, reported 1,035 new cases of the COVID-19 virus since the previous 24-hour cycle, for a pandemic total of 326,414 positive cases. There were also 29 additional deaths reported since 10-a.m. Tuesday, for a total of 5,174. Statewide, 4,673 COVID deaths are attributed to Underlying causes. COVID was a contributing factor to 501 deaths. Deaths at Long-Term Care (LTC) facilities account for 2,111 deaths. In this area, there was one additional death reported in each of Madison and Montgomery Counties, and two more in Pottawattamie County (See the pandemic totals below).

Long-Term Care facility outbreaks went from 35 Tuesday, to 39 today (Wednesday). LTC patients testing positive amount to 1,058, with 675 having recovered from the virus. The State data show 292 people are hospitalized with COVID-19, which is down from 327 on Tuesday. Officials say 67 patients are in an ICU, 48 were admitted over the previous 24-hours, and 27 patients are on ventilators. In RMCC Region 4 (Hospitals in western/southwest Iowa), 14 are hospitalized with COVID symptoms, nine are in an ICU, one person was admitted over the past 24-hours ending at 10-a.m. Wednesday, and two people remain on a ventilator.

Iowa’s statewide positivity rate is up a bit. The 14-day positivity rate was 8.6% Wednesday, compared to 8.5% Tuesday. The 7-day average was up from 6.2% Tuesday to 6.4% Wednesday.   A total of 297,821 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, 1,221 cases; {+11}; 46 deaths
• Adair, 724; {+4}; 25
• Adams, 313; {+0}; 3
• Audubon, 450 {+4}; 9
• Guthrie, 1,067 {+2}; 27
• Harrison County, 1,637; {+1}; 67
• Madison County, 1,351; {+5}; 16
• Mills County, 1,438; {+7}; 20
• Montgomery, 945; {+1}; 35
• Pottawattamie County, 9,508; {+23}; 138
• Shelby County, 1,113; {+0}; 32
• Union County,  1,159; {+2}; 31