Iowa passes 700 coronavirus deaths; Johnson County cases continue to climb

The number of coronavirus-related deaths in Iowa now exceeds 700.

On Friday, seven new coronavirus-related deaths were reported, meaning 701 people have died since the beginning of the pandemic in mid-March.

Three of the deaths were in Polk County, with one death reported in Linn County.

Johnson, Linn

Also on Friday, Johnson County reported 61 new cases of COVID-19 for the most recent 24-hour period.

It's the second highest number of cases reported in the county in one day - the most was 69 on April 20 - and the 10th consecutive day of double-digit increases.

The county's seven-day rolling average is now up to 34.

Since March 8, Johnson County has reported 945 coronavirus cases, eighth highest in the state.

Linn County has had 1,156 cases, fifth highest in the state.

Linn County on Friday reported 20 new cases, with a seven-day rolling average of 14.

state totals

Polk County, the state's most populous county, on Friday reported 78 new cases, bringing its total number of cases to 5,758, the most in Iowa.

Woodbury County (Sioux City) is second with 3,112 cases; Black Hawk County (Waterloo-Cedar Falls) is third, with 1,980; and Buena Vista County is fourth, with 1,678. All three counties have had outbreaks at meat processing plants.

Statewide, 494 new COVID-19 cases were reported Friday, for a total of 27,555 in the past three-and-a-half months, according to the Iowa Department of Public Health.

Hospitalizations in Iowa rose for the first time in a week, from 137 to 141.

The number of patients in intensive-care units remained at 42. The number of patients on ventilators fell from 26 to 24.

In the past 24-hour period, 6,576 people were tested for COVID-19. Positive cases totaled 494, for a rate of 7.5 percent.

Care facilities

Linn Manor Care Center in Marion was removed from the list of long-term care facilities with outbreaks, defined as three or more coronavirus-related illnesses among residents and staff.

Other long-term care facilities in Linn County removed from the outbreak list this past month are Heritage Specialty Care, Cottage Grove Place, Living Center West and Manor Care Health Services of Cedar Rapids.

Willow Gardens Care Center in Marion has 26 cases, with 12 to 15 recovered, and is the only remaining long-term care facility in Linn County with an outbreak.

Johnson County is reporting no outbreaks at long-term care facilities.

More COVID-19 information is available at coronavirus.iowa.gov.

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

John McGlothlen of The Gazette contributed to this report.