Iowa’s seven-day average of new virus cases below 2,000 for first time since Oct. 31

Iowa on Friday reported 2,042 new COVID-19 cases and 81 new deaths.

The state's seven-day average for new cases was 1,910, the sixth consecutive day that average has fallen and the first time it has been below 2,000 since Oct. 31, according to The Gazette analysis of data from the Iowa Department of Public Health.

Of the 81 deaths, more than half - 46 - were among individuals over the age of 80. Another 26 were among people between the ages of 61 and 80. The remaining deaths were among adults ages 41 to 60.

To date, 3,197 Iowans have died from the coronavirus since March.

Friday's new cases - recorded between 11 a.m. Thursday and 11 a.m. Friday - bring Iowa's total COVID-19 cases to 253,069.

The new cases included 267 cases among children 17 and younger and seven cases among education workers.

Linn County reported 80 new COVID-19 cases Friday. The county's seven-day average is 81.

Linn County has reported 15,359 cases of the coronavirus since March, the second highest total in the state, behind only Polk County's 37,053.

Johnson County reported 55 new cases. The county's seven-day average is 55. The county has had 10,265 cases since March, the sixth most in the state.

Hospitalizations down

The number of Iowans hospitalized with the virus continued to decline, from Thursday's 863 to Friday's 833.

The number of patients in intensive care decreased from 189 to 175, and the number of patients on ventilators decreased from 114 to 97.

Deaths

Forty-four of Iowa's 99 counties reported virus-related deaths Friday.

Polk and Black Hawk counties each reported six deaths in the 24-hour period, and Marion County reported five.

Counties reporting three deaths each were Bremer, Keokuk, Lee, Linn, Marshall, Scott, Shelby and Woodbury. Counties reporting two deaths each were Appanoose, Des Moines, Hancock, Jones, Osceola and Pottawattamie.

Counties reporting one death each were Adair, Allamakee, Buena Vista, Butler, Cedar, Cerro Gordo, Cherokee, Clinton, Dallas, Decatur, Floyd, Greene, Grundy, Harrison, Henry, Ida, Jefferson, Kossuth, Louisa, Mills, Monroe, Montgomery, Plymouth, Story, Wapello, Warren and Wright.

One death was listed as 'unclassified.”

Long-term care facilities

The Iowa Department of Public Health is currently tracking 141 COVID-19 outbreaks in long-term care facilities across the state, where 5,608 individuals are positive for the virus.

In Linn County, The Gardens of Cedar Rapids reported one new case, bringing its total to 18, and one recovery.

Keystone Nursing Home in Benton County reported five recoveries Friday, for a total of 19, and 33 active cases. Belle Plaine Specialty Care, also in Benton County, reported one new COVID-19 case, bringing its total to seven.

In Buchanan County, ABCM Rehabilitation Centers of Independence east campus reported three new cases, bringing its total to 25.

The Monticello Nursing & Rehab Center in Jones County reported seven recoveries, for a total of 28, and 72 active cases.

Crestview Specialty Care in Cedar County and Anamosa Care Center in Jones County were removed from the state's list of facilities with outbreaks, meaning three of more active cases.

Since March, 1,129 deaths have been reported at long-term care facilities.

Top 10 counties in total COVID-19 cases

1. Polk County: 37,053

2. Linn County: 15,359

3. Scott County: 12,706

4. Black Hawk County: 11,729

5. Woodbury County: 11,326

6. Johnson County: 10,265

7. Dubuque County: 9,880

8. Story County: 7,324

9. Pottawattamie County: 7,307

10. Dallas County: 7,043

Comments: (319) 398-8238; kat.russell@thegazette.com

Katie Brumbeloe of The Gazette contributed to this report.