COVID-19 activity slows in Iowa

COVID-19 activity is finally on the decline in Iowa following several weeks of climbing numbers following the holidays.

As of Sunday, January 17, there have been 305,150 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state, crossing the 300,000 case milestone and increasing the 296,681 total from the week prior by 8,469, a welcome dip in new cases following weeks of climbing rates since New Year.

In the last week, 5% of new cases have been among the elderly (age 80+), 17% among older adults (60-79); 28% among middle aged adults (40-59); 36% among young adults (18-39); and 15% among children.

With 266,455 considered recovered, that leaves roughly 34,372 Iowans currently known to be fighting the disease, a drop of about 2,000 active cases from a week ago.

Continuing the positive news, hospitalizations continue to decrease, with 483 hospitalized as of Sunday, including 84 in an ICU.

In testing, a total of 3,376,305 COVID-19 tests have now been performed on 1,422,565 individual Iowans since the pandemic began, including 2,371,420 PCR tests and 1,004,885 antigen tests. In the last week, the state has processed 62,232 PCR tests and 62,468 antigen tests.

In addition, 91,617 Iowans have undergone serology testing for coronavirus antibodies, which would indicate that they have had the virus. Of that number, 10,972, about 12%, have tested positive for antibodies.

For deaths, another 185 COVID-19 related deaths have been recorded in the last week, bringing the statewide total to 4,323.

In total, approximately 2,545 elderly (58.87%); 1,478 older adults (34.19%), 258 middle aged adults (5.97%), 40 young adults (.93%), and at least one child (.05%) have died from the virus since the pandemic began.

The number of recorded deaths in long term care facilities also continues to catch up with a lag in record keeping, now totaling 1,761 deaths, an increase of 81 from the week prior.

Still, the number of long term care facilities reporting outbreaks continues to stay on the decline, with a reduction of 12 bringing the total to 78 facilities consisting of 1,998 positive cases among residents and staff with 1,051 considered recovered.