(Updated 10-a.m., 10/11) – The State of Iowa’s Coronavirus dashboard today shows there were seven more Positive COVID-19 test results received for Cass County from 10-a.m., Saturday through 10-a.m. Sunday, for a total of 234 cases since the pandemic began.  Since Saturday test Positive test results show: 27 more cases reported in Pottawattamie County, 20 more cases in Mills County; 10 additional cases in Madison County; eight each in Harrison and Union Counties; 5 more in Guthrie County, and four more in Adair County.(See more detailed info. below)

Statewide, there are 1,264 new cases of COVID-19 since 10-a.m. Saturday, for a total of 99,620. There have also been six more deaths statewide, for a total of 1,460. The IDPH says of the reported deaths, 982 were related to a pre-existing medical condition. There have been a total of 861,185 Iowans tested for COVID-19 to-date, with 760,624 total Negative results. There were 5,748 results received since 10-a.m. Saturday, with 5,070 of those Negative, and 669 Positive. Officials say 11.6% of persons tested had a positive test result.  Iowans who have recovered from the virus number 76,254.

Hospitalizations are down slightly from Friday, from 450 Saturday morning to 438 this morning. The IDPH says: 100 patients with COVID-19 are in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU); 63 people with COVID symptoms were admitted to a hospital; and 40 patients are on a ventilator. Western/Southwest Iowa hospitals report 26 people hospitalized, seven are in an ICU, no one was admitted, and no one was on a ventilator.

There are currently 54 Long-Term Care (LTC) facility outbreaks in Iowa, 1,165 positive cases of COVID among patients and staff at those facilities, and there have been 739 deaths since the outbreak began. The IDPH reports 626 persons recovered from the virus at LTC’s.

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, 234 cases {+7}; 190 recovered; 2 deaths
• Adair, 98{+4}; 56; 1
• Adams, 55 {+3}; 30; 0
• Audubon, 116 {+1}; 42; 1
• Guthrie, 329 {+5}; 200; 13
• Harrison County, 443 {+8}; 192; 5
• Madison County, 304 {+10}; 199; 2
• Mills County, 292 {+20}; 150; 1
• Montgomery, 133 {+1}; 102; 5
• Pottawattamie County, 2,649 {+27}; 1,974; 43
• Shelby County, 310 {+4}; 275; 1
• Union County,  187 {+8}; 115; 3

(Radio Iowa) – Republican Joni Ernst says she and other members of the Senate committee should be tested for Covid before they convene confirmation hearings this coming week for President Trump’s Supreme Court nominee. “I actually do think that it would be smart to do that,” Ernst said. “I hate to do it without having reasons to do so, but I think if we’re going to be working in close proximity over long hours, it’s probably not a bad idea.”

The hearings are scheduled to start Monday. Both of Iowa’s U.S. Senators are on the Judiciary Committee. During a news conference Sunday, Republican Senator Chuck Grassley was asked if he agrees with Ernst about having all members take a Covid test before Monday’s hearing. “I suppose there’s 99 other ways to answer the question. I can only answer Chuck Grassley’s way,” Grassley said. “I follow the protocols that are given out by the attending physician on Capitol Hill and I’ll continue to follow those.”

Two other members of the committee who attended the White House event for nominee Amy Coney Barrett tested positive for the virus last weekend. Grassley says he has been tested for Covid, but hasn’t revealed when that test was taken. Ernst took a Covid test before she debated her Democratic opponent, Theresa Greenfield, on September 28th. Greenfield says Covid tests for Ernst and other members of the Senate Judiciary Committee makes sense. “That’s a great place to start, absolutely,” Greenfield says. “They should be wearing masks and following public health guidelines. If they’ve been exposed and they should be quarantining.”

Greenfield and Ernst made their comments at separate events Saturday and both candidates wore face coverings as they spoke with reporters.

Red Oak Police say a juvenile and her unidentified passenger were checked by medics for injuries but refused treatment, following an accident Saturday at the intersection of N. 3rd and E. Joy Streets. Authorities say as a 2007 Ford Mustang owned by John Allison, of Red Oak, and driven by 17-year old Allie Jean Marie Curtis, of Red Oak, was turning south on the N. 3rd, Curtis thought she was going to hit a parked car. She over-corrected and lost control of the vehicle. The car left the road and hit a large tree as well as a stop sign. Damage from the accident amounted to $9,100.

Police cited Curtis for Failure to Maintain Control of a Motor Vehicle.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest at around 5:30-p.m. Saturday, of Deidre Cain. She was taken into custody following an incident in the 1100 block of F Avenue, and charged with Simple Assault. Cain’s bond was set at $300. No other details are available.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office investigated a single-vehicle, property damage accident, Saturday afternoon. Authorities say 65-year old Calvin D. Myers, of Coburg, tried to back his 1998 Dodge Ram 2500 pickup into a field drive, but misjudged the width of the driveway. His vehicle entered the ditch and rolled over, causing about $1,500 damage to the vehicle. The accident happened at around 1-p.m.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the Red Oak Fire and Rescue. No injuries were reported.

An accident early Saturday morning in Montgomery County has claimed the life of a rural Red Oak man. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office says the accident happened at around 4:15-a.m., in a field located in the 2500 block of C Avenue, just north of 260th Street. Authorities say Authorities say 41-year old Chad M. Harold died in the crash.

Harold had been driving a 2020 Polaris XP1000 southbound in a farm field, when he lost control of the machine near a terrace, and overturned. The ATV sustained approximately $10,000 damage.

Red Oak Fire and Rescue assisted the Montgomery Sheriff’s Office at the scene.