DES MOINES, Iowa – Gov. Kim Reynolds lifted restrictions for mass gatherings on June 1, causing some to predict a spike in COVID-19 cases in mid-June. COVID-19 has a 14-day incubation period.
However, daily positive tests continue a downward trend. Last Wednesday, the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) reported 234 new cases, Thursday there were 313, Friday there were 298, Saturday saw 249, Sunday saw 139, Monday saw 126, and Tuesday saw 129 new cases.
There could be a lag, but these numbers also come with increased testing and a phased re-opening in progress since early May. Also, there could be a spike after numerous large protests throughout the state that could show up in the days ahead.
IDPH reports 235,492 administered for a per capita rate of one in 13 Iowans receiving a test. The number of tests processed this week so far compared to last week has also declined, likely due to declining demand and the fact that the Des Moines and Cedar Rapids drive-thru Test Iowa sites were closed over the weekend to relocate.
Also, 27,366 Iowans have received a serology test, but only eight percent were positive for COVID-19 antibodies.
At the time of publication, 24,406 Iowans tested positive for COVID-19. The overall positivity rate is 10.4 percent. Tuesday’s positivity rate was 3.9 percent. In total, 82 percent of all reported cases are of Iowans under the age of 61.
IDPH reports that 15,247 Iowans have recovered from COVID-19 for a 62.5 percent recovery rate among those testing positive. They also report 673 total deaths, with 88 percent of those among Iowans older than 61, and 52 percent among long-term care facility residents.
The state’s hospitalization rate continues to trend downward as well. There are only 188 Iowans hospitalized with COVID-19, with 64 in ICU and 47 on ventilators.
