IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A 35-year-old Waterloo husband and father is recovering after nearly dying last month of the coronavirus. Doctors at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics warned his family last month that Elvir Alicajic was likely within hours of succumbing to the virus. But after plasma and dialysis treatments, Alicajic’s condition improved and he soon woke up from a medical coma.

Alicajic has been transferred to Allen Hospital in Waterloo, where he is regaining the ability to walk on his own and hopes to leave soon. Alicajic’s friend and neighbor says the experience has been shocking and scary for everyone involved, and left the family with “outrageous” medical expenses.

The State of Iowa reports (as of 10-a.m. Sunday), there were 263 additional positive cases of COVID-19. Cass County has 11 positive cases, one more than reported Saturday. One of those individuals (as previously mentioned) has recovered. Statewide, 489,433 assessments have been completed, and 127, 854 Iowans have been tested for COVID-19. 17,213 tested positive (13.5%), 110,358 tested negative. The number of Iowans who have recovered from the virus numbered 9,285 as of the latest data. Five more people have died from the virus, for a total of 449. The dates of these confirmed COVID related deaths were from May 19 to May 23. (Keep in mind, these figures change, as results are included in the State COVID-19 dashboard https://coronavirus.iowa.gov/.)

Around the area, here are the current (as of 10-a.m., 5/24) cases of positive test results and (number of recovered): Adair County: 8 (3); Adams County: 5 (1); Audubon County: 11 (9); Guthrie County: 42 (29); Montgomery County: 6 (5); Shelby County: 31 (24) and Pottawattamie County: 208 (109).

In RMCC Region 4 (Southwest/western Iowa), seven people are hospitalized for COVID-19, two are in an ICU, and one person was admitted to a hospital. Across the State, the number of patients who are hospitalized due to the virus (as of this posting) is 363.  114 COVID-19 patients were in an ICU. 34 were admitted.

Statewide, LTC facility outbreaks are down one, to 36. The number of patients and staff at those facilities who have died number 238. The number of patients/staff have recovered is 662, and 1,529 have tested positive.

The COVID-19 dashboard contains updated information throughout the day, but due to planned maintenance this weekend, the Case Counts Dashboard will not reflect accurate counts during the maintenance period.  All Case Counts will be brought up to date by 6:00 am Monday, May 25th.

No injuries were reported following a collision at around 6:36-p.m. Saturday, in Red Oak. Authorities say the accident happened at the intersection of E. Summit Street and Sunnyslope Drive. A 2015 Nissan Versa driven by 17-year old Alissa Rice, of Red Oak, was stopped on Summit Street facing east, waiting to turn north onto Sunny Slope Drive, when a 1999 Chevy Silverado driven by 30-year old Megan Waltz, of Lorimor, struck the Nissan from behind. Waltz told Police she didn’t see Rice’ car.

Waltz was cited for Following too Close. Damage from the collision amounted to $6,000, with the Nissan being a total loss. Red Oak Police were assisted at the scene by Deputies with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Red Oak Rescue, and Red Oak Fire Department.

Red Oak Police, Saturday evening, arrested a Villisca man on a Montgomery County warrant for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. 57-year old Bruce Warren Fitzwater was taken into custody at 106 W. Coolbaugh Street at around 6:05-p.m., and held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $500 cash bond.

The Adams County Sheriff’s Office reports an investigation resulted in the arrest Saturday morning of two people for alleged sex crimes. 22-year old Austin Thompson, of Prescott, was taken into custody at around 8:45-a.m. on felony charges that include: Sexual Abuse in the 1st Degree; Assault with intent to commit sexual abuse; and Sexual Exploitation of  Minor. Thompson was being held in the Adams County Jail while awaiting an appearance before a Magistrate.

At around 1:10-p.m. Saturday, Deputies arrested 28-year old Clara Winfrey, also of Prescott, on the same Felony charges. She was also being held in the Adams County Jail while awaiting an appearance before a Magistrate.

The State of Iowa reports (as of 4-a.m. Sunday), Cass County has 11 positive cases of COVID-19, one more than reported Saturday. One of those individuals (as previously mentioned) has recovered. Statewide, 489,433 assessments have been completed, and 126, 389 Iowans have been tested for COVID-19. 17,065 tested positive (13.5%), 109,038 tested negative. The number of Iowans who have recovered from the virus numbered 9,263 as of the latest data. Five more people have died from the virus, for a total of 449. (Keep in mind, these figures change, as results are included in the State COVID-10 dashboard https://coronavirus.iowa.gov/.)

Around the area, here are the current (as of 4-a.m., 5/24) cases of positive test results and (number of recovered):

Adair County: 7 (3); Adams County: 4 (1); Audubon County: 11 (9); Guthrie County: 42 (29); Montgomery County: 6 (5); Shelby County: 30 (24) and Pottawattamie County: 208 (109).

In RMCC Region 4 (Southwest/western Iowa), six people are hospitalized for COVID-19, two are in an ICU, and one person was admitted to a hospital since the last report. Across the State, the number of patients who are hospitalized due to the virus (as of this posting) is 362.  111 COVID-19 patients were in an ICU. 26 were admitted.

Statewide, LTC facility outbreaks are down one, to 36. The number of patients and staff at those facilities who have died number 238. The number of patients/staff have recovered is 661, and 1,529 have tested positive.

The COVID-19 dashboard contains updated information throughout the day, but due to planned maintenance this weekend, the Case Counts Dashboard will not reflect accurate counts during the maintenance period.  All Case Counts will be brought up to date by 6:00 am Monday, May 25th.