Twenty-two Iowans have died of complications of COVID-19 in the past 24-hours with almost 1,200 new cases reported.
The positivity rate for testing in the state during that timeframe was 12.5%. The 14-day rate is 10.6%, so the rate is on the way up.
Sixteen counties have a 14-day positivity rate for new testing above the 15% threshold. That level is one criteria for school districts to apply for on-line learning only. Woodbury County is 12th in the state with a rate of 15.5%.
The coronavirus is getting worse in states that President Donald Trump needs the most.
That includes Iowa, where President Trump is now in a toss-up race with Vice President Joe Biden after carrying the state by more than nine-percentage points four-years ago.
President Trump is scheduled to make a campaign stop in Omaha tonight, along with U.S. Senator Joni Ernst. The Iowa Republican is facing a close race against Democrat Theresa Greenfield.
Former Vice President Joe Biden released a statement in response to the president’s visit.
Part of it says, “Nebraskans are hurting and President Trump is failing them. The number of COVID-19 cases surpassed 60,000 and hospitalizations hit record highs last week. Over the next seven days, you have the power to end the chaos and division, but only if you vote.”
Nebraska reported about 700 new cases and 7 deaths last night.
A Democratic congressional candidate in Nebraska was exposed to the coronavirus after her fiancée, a county commissioner in Lincoln, became infected.
State Sen. Kate Bolz, of Lincoln, is running against incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry for the House seat in Nebraska’s 1st Congressional District.
The GOP-heavy district includes Norfolk, Lincoln, along with other parts of eastern Nebraska excluding Omaha and its suburbs.
Nebraska's prison system continues to struggle with the spread of the coronavirus among inmates and staff. The Department of Correction’s website shows the total number of confirmed cases has topped 260 since the pandemic began. Two inmates have died.
Nearly half of the prisoners at South Dakota facilities have been diagnosed with COVID-19. The Mike Durfee State Prison in Springfield has seen the most cases with 674. The South Dakota State Penitentiary has seen the second most cases with 506, but the highest positivity rate at 73%.
