Local COVID-19 positivity rates still among highest

O’Brien County’s COVID-19 positivity rate increased this week to one of the Top 10-highest in the state.

According to Iowa’s coronavirus update page Wednesday morning, the number of positive tests returned in O’Brien County over the last 14 days was 18.4 percent, ranking No. 7 in Iowa. Clay County was No. 23 with a 12.4 positivity rate.

The total number of deaths associated with COVID-19 remained the same over the past week in O’Brien County (9) and Clay County (4). Overall, O’Brien County has had 472 total confirmed coronavirus cases since March and 236 recoveries, while Clay County has had 388 cases and 244 recoveries.

The COVID-19 outbreak at Prairie View Campus in Sanborn remained mostly unchanged during the past week. According to state data, the facility remained at 29 confirmed cases and increased in recoveries by one to 19.

Statewide, there have been 94,342 positive cases, 73,237 recoveries and 1,414 deaths. Iowa’s positivity rate was 8.6 percent as of Wednesday morning.