Iowa COVID-19 hospitalizations rise, but no deaths reported in past week

Iowa reported fewer new COVID-19 cases and no virus-related deaths in the past week but an increase in the number of people hospitalized.

As of Wednesday, 186 Iowans were hospitalized with the virus, the most since 202 patients were reported March 2, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Last week, 167 Iowans were hospitalized.

The number of patients in intensive care also increased from 21 to 25, the most since 25 patients were reported March 9.

Also, Johnson County no longer has the highest seven-day positive COVID-19 test rate in the state, after holding that position for seven consecutive weeks.

Instead, three rural counties reported the highest positive test rates in the past week: Lucas County, in south-central Iowa, 326 per 100,000; Monroe County, also in south-central Iowa, 260 per 100,000; and Pocahontas County, in northwest Iowa, 257 per 100,000.

Johnson County was in fourth place, reporting 248 positive tests per 100,000 population in the past week, compared to 357 last week.

New cases

In Iowa, 3,987 new COVID-19 cases were reported in the past week, down from to 4,283 new cases reported last week, according to the Iowa Department of Public Health. .

Iowa has recorded 788,289 cases since the pandemic arrived in the state in March 2020.

Linn County reported 367 new cases in the past week, up from 350 cases reported last week. To date, 54,961 cases have been reported in the county.

Johnson County reported 315 new cases in the past week, down from 406 reported last week. To date, 37,803 cases have been reported in the county.

Community level

As of June 9, most of Iowa’s 99 counties, including Linn, are now considered to have “low” COVID-19 community levels, where mask wearing is optional.

Johnson County moved from a “high” a “medium” community level, were it’s recommended people at high risk of severe illness wear masks indoors, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Deaths

With no COVID-19 deaths reported in the past week, the state’s virus death toll since March 2020 remains at 9,615.

Last week, 12 COVID-19 deaths were reported in Iowa. The state has averaged 15 deaths per week in the past month.

Comments: (319) 339-3159; sabine.martin@thegazette.com

John McGlothlen of The Gazette contributed to this report.