COVID-19 hospitalizations in Iowa drop below 200

The number of patients being treated in Iowa hospitals for COVID-19 dropped below 200 Sunday for the first time in over three weeks, according to public health data.

Within a 24-hour period ending at 11 a.m. Sunday, the hospitalizations dropped by 22 patients to 187. It marked the first time since April 1 — when there were 194 patients — that the number has dipped below 200.

Additionally, the number of COVID-19 patients in intensive care in the state inched down by one to 47 patients. Those placed on ventilators to help breathe also declined by one in the 24-hour period, to 21 people.

Vaccinations

More than 8,500 Iowans became fully vaccinated between Saturday and Sunday, bringing the total to 945,239 people. That represents about 37.66 percent of Iowans who are age 16 and up.

The rate of vaccinations in Linn and Johnson counties continued Sunday to be above the statewide average.

In Linn, another 730 people became fully vaccinated for a total of 73,084 — or about 40.50 percent of the county’s 16-and-up population. In Johnson, another 500 people became fully vaccinated for a total of 55,972 — or about 45.03 percent of the county’s 16-and-up population.

New cases

Iowa added another 220 positive cases in the 24-hour period, bringing the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state since the pandemic hit to 362,898.

Of the new cases, Linn County added seven, for a total of 20,483. Johnson County added six cases, for a total of 14,226.

No new cases were reported in adults in the education occupation. However, 47 more cases were confirmed in the 24-hour period for children up to age 17, according to the state public health data.

Deaths

Iowa authorities did not confirm any additional deaths on Sunday, leaving the total at 5,927 people who have died as a result of the disease in Iowa over a 13-month period.

Katie Brumbeloe of The Gazette contributed to this report.