Iowa adds 766 new COVID-19 cases, six deaths

Iowa on Wednesday reported 766 new COVID-19 cases and six new, confirmed deaths, along with a sharp increase in the number of patients on ventilators who are hospitalized with the virus.

As of 11 a.m. Wednesday, 190 Iowans were hospitalized with COVID-19 infections. up from 185 the day before, according to the Iowa Department of Public Health.

The number of patients in intensive care increased from 37 to 40, and the number of patients on ventilators more than doubled, from 16 to 36 - the highest number since Feb. 4, when 54 patients were on ventilators to help them breathe.

The numbers reported Wednesday bring the state's totals to 347,069 virus cases and 5,689 deaths since last March, according to public health officials.

As of 11 a.m. Wednesday, Iowa's seven-day average for new cases was 451. The seven-day average for deaths was three, the lowest since July 9, when three were reported.

The new cases were identified in 18,093 tests in the 24-hour period ending at 11 a.m. Wednesday, for a one-day positivity rate of 4.2 percent.

VACCINES

As of Wednesday afternoon, 491,541 Iowans were fully vaccinated. That's 15.58 percent of all Iowans and 19.58 percent of adult Iowans (16 and older).

Within the state, including non-Iowans, 511,174 people are fully vaccinated.

To date, 1,321,859 doses of vaccine have been administered, with 1,273,732 shots going to Iowans. Both numbers increased by more than 22,000 over Tuesday's total.

In Linn County, 97,424 shots had been given as of 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, an increase of 1,857 from Tuesday. Some 38,885 county residents are now fully vaccinated - 21.55 percent of the county's adult population (16 and over).

In Johnson County, 78,760 shots have been given, with 30,287 county residents fully vaccinated. That's 24.36 percent of the county's adult population.

NEW CASES

Linn County on Wednesday reported 23 new virus cases Wednesday, for a seven-day average of 20. To date, 19,763 COVID-19 cases have been reported in the county since last March.

Johnson County reported 29 new cases - the most since Feb. 10 when 40 cases were reported. The county's seven-day average is 18, with 13,385 cases reported since last March.

Of the new cases reported statewide, 148 were of individuals 17 and younger, the most since 153 cases were reported Feb. 12. The number of minors in Iowa who've had COVID-19 now totals 39,749.

DEATHS

Of the six deaths reported on Wednesday, four were of individuals over the age of 80 and two were of individuals between 61 and 80. The six deaths all took place in the month of February.

Counties reporting one death each were Fayette, Franklin, Harrison, Lee, Polk and Pottawattamie.

LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES

COVID-19 outbreaks - three or more cases among residents and staff - continue to be reported at only one long-term care facility, where seven individuals are being treated.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, 2,226 individuals in the state's long-term care facilities have died from the virus - 39 percent of the state's death toll.

Comments: (319) 398-8255; gage.miskimen@thegazette.com