Washington County confirmed three new COVID deaths this week, while Iowa added 184 for a total of 8,501 deaths.

Washington County now has a total of 73 deaths, as its 14-day average positive test rate increased from 18.9 to 22.3% over the last week. The state’s 14-day average positive test rate increased from 24.8 to 25.2%. Statewide COVID hospitalizations and Intensive Care Unit patients decreased from 991 to 929 and 182 to 165, respectively. However, the numbers increased somewhat for the state’s southeast region, with 10 more patients for a total of 228 and one more in the ICU for a total of 55. The state coronavirus dashboard shows those not fully vaccinated account for 63.6% of COVID patients and 68.5% of those in the ICU. Twenty additional long term care facilities are also in outbreak this week for a current total of 76.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states 60.2% of Iowans and 55.4% of Washington County residents are fully vaccinated. Iowans five years old and up can still get a free COVID vaccine from their healthcare provider or local pharmacy. Washington County Public Health is hosting walk-in COVID and flu vaccine clinics each Wednesday afternoon in February at the Federation Bank building in Washington.