10 deaths from COVID-19 reported in Iowa

Ten additional COVID-19 deaths and 649 new coronavirus cases were reported in Iowa as of 11 a.m. Thursday, when The Gazette updates the previous 24-hour period.

The number of deaths was the highest number reported in the past two weeks, bringing the statewide death toll to 854 since mid-March.

Jackson County in Eastern Iowa reported its first coronavirus-related death, bringing the total number of Iowa counties reporting fatalities to 72.

The number of coronavirus cases in Iowa now total 43,844 since mid-March.

The new cases reported Thursday - 649 - came from 5,023 tests, for a positive rate of 11.44 percent.

Linn County reported 43 new cases, for a total of 1,937 since the pandemic arrived.

The seven-day rolling average of new cases in Linn County is now 36, tying the previous highest average.

Johnson County reported 34 new cases for a total of 1,835. The county's rolling seven-day average is 22.

Polk County reported 136 new cases - the most new cases reported in the state. Linn's 43 new cases was in second place, and John'son 34 in third place in the state.

Prairie Ridge Care Center in Sioux County was added to the list of long-term care facilities reporting outbreaks.

Statewide hospitalizations on Thursday were 237, down from 248.

The number of patients in intensive care remained at 76. The number of patients on ventilators ticked down, from 32 to 31.

The numbers

The Iowa counties, with 50 or more coronavirus cases, reporting the highest percentage increases in new cases are:

' Franklin: 7.3%

' Madison: 5.7%

' Cedar: 4.5%

' Fayette: 4.2%

' Sac: 3.9%

Comments: (319) 398-8372; alexandra.skores@thegazette.com