While Iowa’s COVID hospitalizations decreased this week, 31 additional long term care centers are experiencing outbreaks for a current total of 107.

For the fifth week in a row Iowa has confirmed another hundred or more COVID deaths, this week at a total of 8,657. Washington County remains at 73 deaths, while the 14-day average positive test rate decreased locally and statewide with the county currently at 20.5% and the state at 21.5%. After the state’s total number of hospitalizations ranged in the 900s the last three weeks the number dipped down to 794 Wednesday with 109 of those in the Intensive Care Unit. The southeast region’s patient total ticked below 200 for the first time in the last month with 188 Wednesday and 45 of them in the ICU. Those not fully vaccinated account for 54.1% of Iowa’s hospitalized COVID patients, and 70.6% of those in the ICU.

Vaccinations continued to increase slightly this week from 60.2-60.4% in Iowa and 55.4-55.6% in Washington County, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Those five years old and up can get their initial and booster doses of the free Pfizer, Johnson and Johnson, and Moderna COVID vaccines from their healthcare provider or local pharmacy. They can also stop by Washington County Public Health during their walk-in clinics being held Wednesday afternoons this month on the third floor of the Federation Bank building. More information is included in this story at kciiradio.com.