Northwest Iowa — One additional COVID-related death has been reported in our four-county area in the past week, according to the Iowa Department of Public Health.
The latest death is that of an O’Brien County resident, bringing the total number of deaths from COVID in O’Brien County to 57. The total number of COVID-related deaths now stands at 188 in the four-county area of O’Brien, Sioux, Osceola and Lyon Counties. Sioux County reports a total of 74 deaths since the pandemic began, with Lyon County sitting at 41 and Osceola at 16.
The total number of positive COVID test results in the area continued to fall last week with a total of 6 positive tests in the four-county area, down from 11 the week before. Sioux County reports 3 positives with a 3% positivity rate, Lyon County reports 2 new positive tests with a 5% rate, O’Brien County reported just 1 new positive with a 2% rate and, for the second consecutive week, Osceola County reports no new positive COVID tests.
Statewide, for the first time in many months there are fewer than 100 patients in the hospital for COVID-related illnesses. The IDPH reports 57 people are hospitalized with COVID as the primary diagnosis, while an additional 39 people are in the hospital statewide for whom COVID is a secondary diagnosis.
There are just two long-term care facilities in the state with COVID outbreaks, as of late Tuesday morning. In Cerro Gordo County, Heritage Care and Rehabilitation Center reports 7 residents and staff with COVID. In Wright County, Clarion Wellness and Rehabilitation Center reports 6 residents and staff diagnosed with COVID.
