The Iowa Department of Public Health’s Coronavirus dashboard today (10-a.m., Saturday), shows there were 901 new (Positive) COVID-19 cases reported since 10-a.m. Friday, and six additional deaths. As of this morning, the IDPH reported 79,128 total COVID-19 cases, 57,227 recoveries and 1,264 deaths since the pandemic began. There have been 732,186 Iowans tested for the virus. IDPH reported 6,247 lab test results received in the previous day, with 692 positive results and 5,539 negative results. IDPH reports a positivity rate of 8.5% over the last 14 days. One of four Iowans have been tested for COVID-19, while 1 of 40 have tested positive.

The state reports nine Iowa counties with a positivity rate greater than 15% over the last 14 days, up from eight the previous day. That means public schools in Sioux, Lyon, Crawford, Osceola, Plymouth, Winnebago, Henry, Sac, and Carroll counties can apply for a waiver to offer 100% virtual learning. Sioux, Lyon, Crawford and Osceola counties report a rate greater than 20%, with Sioux County reporting a 29.5% positivity rate.

In the KJAN listening area, Cass County, Madison Counties and Mills Counties each have two new COVID-19 positive cases each. There are three new cases in Audubon and Harrison County, four more cases in Guthrie County, six more cases in Union and Shelby Counties, and 19 more cases in Pottawattamie County.

IDPH reported 39 long-term care facilities with coronavirus outbreaks, unchanged from the previous day. There are 891 positive cases and 463 recoveries within those facilities. There have been 664 deaths in Iowa’s long-term care facilities.

Across the State, hospitalizations are up slightly, to 282. The number of patients with COVID-19 who are in an ICU is down to 81; 34 people were admitted to a hospital with symptoms of the virus, 19 fewer than on Friday, and 40 patients were on ventilators. In western/southwest Iowa, hospitals report nine people are hospitalized with COVID-19; six are in an ICU; two people were admitted to an area hospital with symptoms, Friday, and one person remains on  ventilator.

Here are the latest positive case numbers for southwest/western Iowa (County; Positive Case #’s; number of persons who have (recovered); {deaths since the outbreak began}.

• Cass County: 128 cases; (114); 2 deaths
• Adair County: 62 cases; (42); 1 death
• Adams County: 27 cases; (23)
• Audubon County: 56 cases; (35); 1 death
• Guthrie County: 213 cases; (157); 5 deaths
• Montgomery County: 85 cases; (79); 5 deaths
• Pottawattamie County: 1,953 cases; (1,601); 37 deaths
• Shelby County: 241 cases; (227); 1 death.
• Madison County, 200; (155); 2 deaths
• Harrison County, 169 cases; (152); 2 deaths
• Union County: 120 cases; (85); 3 deaths.
• Mills County: 164 cases; (117); 1 death.

The Iowa State Patrol reports a man died Friday, after the motorcycle he was driving collided with a semi, in Jasper County. Authorities say a 2001 Honda motorcycle operated by 33-year old Brandon Lee James, of Newton, was traveling southbound in the 7700 block of Highway F-48 at a high rate of speed at around 6:30-p.m., when a northbound 2005 International semi driven by 21-year old Jared Joseph Eiklenborg, of Greene, attempted to make a left turn in front of the cycle.

When the Honda crashed into the side of the gravel trailer being pulled by the semi, James died on impact. The State Patrol was assisted at the scene by Jasper County Sheriff’s Deputies.

A 26-year old Red Oak woman was arrested a little after 3-a.m. today (Saturday), for Public Intoxication. According to Red Oak Police, Jade Dakota Erynn Bacon was taken into custody in the 100 block of W. Coolbaugh Street, and brought to the Montgomery County Jail. Her bond was set at $300.

Police in Red Oak, Friday evening, arrested a man wanted on a Montgomery County warrant for Failure to Appear, on a charge of Assault with Intent to Inflict Serious Injury. 33-year old James Harlan Rosencrans III was taken into custody at around 7:20-p.m. in the 400 block of Senate Avenue, in Red Oak, and transported to the Montgomery County Jail. His bond was set at $5,000.

Officials with Mid-American Energy are trying to figure out why a blade from a wind turbine broke off and landed in a rural Adair County farm field. KCCI in Des Moines reports the incident happened sometime Thursday or Friday, when nearby farmers discovered the 177-foot long, 18,000 pound blade partially crumpled-up in a field. The land is farmed, but not owned, by Adair County farmer Curt Beane.

MidAmerican Energy spokesman Geoff Greenwood told KCCI that wind turbine blade failures are a rare occurrence. Greenwood said MidAmerican crews will work to find a cause of the wing failure. The last two blade failures the company investigated, he said, were caused by lightning, but he didn’t know Friday, why this particular blade failed near the hub of the turbine.

An Adair County farmer told KCCI Friday that they will ask the Iowa Utilities Board to investigate wind turbines to make sure they are safe.