Covid-19 cases spike as new testing site opens

Winnebago County saw a spike in COVID-19 activity over the weekend, as eight new cases were confirmed. Three cases were reported on Saturday, followed by five more on Sunday, as the number of total local cases reached 43. The Iowa Dept. of Public Health reports that 23 patients in the county have recovered, leaving 10 active cases as of Monday, July 13.

More than 1,000 people have now been tested for COVID-19 in the county, with 1,044 tested and 4.1% of results coming back positive. There have been no deaths reported in Winnebago County in relation to the illness.

Although cases are on the rise, some good news is that testing is now more available for local residents. A new Test Iowa clinic opened last week in Algona, located in the former Ernie Williams Harley shop at 2701 Hwy 18. People wishing to be tested can take an online assessment at www.testiowa.com. The Algona clinic is open Mondays from 1 to 3 p.m., as well as Wednesdays and Fridays from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. The clinic can be reached by calling 515-295-4430.

More positive cases have also been recorded in Kossuth County in recent days, as the number there has risen to 42 cases with 1,381 tested so far. Seventeen active cases were reported in Kossuth County as of Monday, July 13.