In today’s (Thursday’s) COVID-19 update, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds reported on the latest IDPH data, including information not previously reported by officials, including comparisons of Iowa’s data to the national scene. The Governor said over the past 24-hours, there were:

176 NEW, positive Covid-19 cases, for a total of 3,942. No new counties were added to the list of counties with Covid-19 cases, for a total of 84 counties. 842 Iowans have tested Negative for Covid-19, for a total of 25,338.

Of the 29, 262 Iowans who’ve been tested for Covid-19, Reynolds says 13% have tested positive, compared to a national rate of 18.4% [as reported by the CDC]. As of Wednesday, 77% of all positive cases were among adults age 18-40, and middle-age adults from 41-to 60.” The Governor reports 22% were older and elderly adults from 61-to over 80, and 1% were children under the age of 18. She said among all Iowans with Covid-19, 10% are staff and residents of Long-Term Care Facilities. 16% are health care workers, and 29% work in manufacturing facilities.

As of Wednesday, 11 of Iowa’s 99 counties accounted for 81% of all Covid-19 cases. Five counties alone had 52% of the State’s positive’s. 51 counties had zero-to-four cases each.  Reynolds said 1,492 Iowans were diagnosed with Covid-19, and that have recovered, for a recovery rate of 38%. She said the Dept. of Public Health has confirmed one additional Long Term Care Facility outbreak in Linn County, affecting Manor Care Health Services. That brings the total LTC facility outbreaks to 12.

Of the positive LTC residents to date, Reynold said 65 people have recovered, 84 remain ill, and 24 are currently hospitalized. Six people have died over the past 24-hours, for a total of 96 Iowans who have lost their lives to the virus. According to IDPH the additional 6 deaths were reported in the following counties:

• Bremer County, 1 elderly adult (81+)
• Muscatine County, 1 elderly adult (81+)
• Polk County, 1 middle-age adult (41-60 years), 3 elderly adults (81+)

As of Wednesday, 85% of all deaths are among older/elderly adults; 51% were residents of LTC facilities, 12% were middle-age adults age 41-to-60. 2% were adults age 18-to-40. Reynolds said since the first cases of Covid-19 were confirmed, the IDPH has been collecting data that allows officials a better understanding of the virus, its impact on Iowans and to help mitigate it. Increased testing capabilities, she said areas of concern will be targeted earlier, along with areas of opportunity to re-open the State in a “Measured and responsible way.”