Iowa’s Coronavirus dashboard, today (Saturday), reports (as of 10-a.m.), 12 additional deaths are attributed to the virus, and 1,908 new, Positive cases of COVID-19, as confirmed by State Labs. The total number of deaths since the beginning of the pandemic amount to 1,629. Officials say 1,078 deaths have been attributed to pre-existing medical/health conditions. Harrison and Montgomery Counties each have one more COVID-related death.

Health officials say 4,992 test results were returned over the past 24-hours since 10-a.m. Friday, with 4,213 coming back Negative, and 767 returned as Positive. The total number of tests completed thus far is 931,801, with 815,702 total Negative results and 114, 463 total Positive results. The individual positivity rate is 12.3%, and the statewide 14-day rolling average is up to 10.3%. Harrison County has the highest 14 day positive average, at nearly 24% (23.9). In Cass County, the 14-day rate is 21.2%.

The IDPH says 87,449 Iowans have recovered from COVID-19. In the KJAN listening area, there are: 19 more positive cases of the virus in Cass County, for a total of 379; 75 more cases in Pottawattamie County, 20 more cases in Mills County; there are 14 additional cases in Harrison County; seven new cases in Adams and Guthrie Counties, and six more in Shelby County. Other counties have five or less cases added to their totals. (See the chart below). Health department data shows 17 counties report a positivity rate greater than 15% over the last 14 days, up from 13 the previous day.

Iowa has set two records for hospitalizations. There are 545 hospitalized with the virus, up from a record 536 the previous day. There were 101 patients hospitalized in the last 24 hours, up from 78 the previous day. The previous record was 97, set on Oct. 6th. There is four less people in an ICU, at 130. There are still 49 persons on a ventilator. Hospitals in western/southwest Iowa report: 36 hospitalized (compared to 42 yesterday); 14 are in an ICU (compared to 15 previously); one person was admitted, and one person remains on a ventilator.

Long-Term Care facility (LTC) stats show: 67 facilities have outbreaks (two-less than on Friday); 1,913 patients/staff at those facilities tested positive for COVID-19 (compared to 1,853 previousy); Patients/staff who have recovered at LTC’s amount to 767, and those who have died number 805. That’s six more than reported on Friday

In the KJAN listening area, here are the current number positive cases in each county, along with the 24-hour change in case numbers {+#}; the number of persons recovered, and the total number of [deaths] (if any), since the pandemic began,

• Cass, 379 cases {+19}; 259 recovered; 2 deaths
• Adair, 155 {+3};70; 1
• Adams, 79 {+7}; 38; 0
• Audubon, 141 {+1}; 83; 1
• Guthrie, 383 {+7); 245; 15
• Harrison County, 643 {+14}; 247; 11
• Madison County, 355 {+2}; 236; 2
• Mills County, 381 {+205}; 188; 1
• Montgomery, 165 {+3}; 140; 7
• Pottawattamie County, 3,193 {+75]; 2,289; 44
• Shelby County, 366 {+6}; 318; 1
• Union County,  228 {+5}; 201; 4

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa officials are rolling out a new system to test sexual assault evidence collection kits more quickly as they work to clear a backlog that once numbered in the thousands. The system, called Track-Kit, was rolled out in phases this year. It helps law enforcement, health care providers and labs keep track of kits moving through the system. The Des Moines Register reports that about 75% of Iowa law enforcement agencies are now connected, with the remainder expected to join soon. Each person examined for sexual assault evidence also will be given a login to track the progress of their kit.

The Red Oak Police Department reports the arrest of 53-year-old Jeffery Allen Westlake of Red Oak on Friday night for Public Intoxication. Westlake was arrested at 9:42 p.m. in the 300 block of E Reed Street. He was taken to the Montgomery County Jail and held on $300 bond.