While Muscatine County’s number of new COVID-19 cases dropped again last week and the level of transmission has improved, another two people died from the virus as the statewide death toll passed the 7,000 mark.
According to data published Friday morning on the State of Iowa’s COVID-19 dashboard, the death toll in Muscatine increased to 117 since the pandemic began.
There were just 36 positive tests out 821 administered, a 6 percent positive rate, between Oct. 30 and Nov. 5 for a total of 6,892 cases.
That’s the fewest new cases since August, and it’s the fourth straight week the new case count has been below 100.
The Center’s For Disease Control and Prevention COVID Data Tracker reported Monday that Muscatine County is one of just three Iowa counties, along with Louisa and Buena Vista, as having a substantial transmission rate.
It’s the first time Muscatine has been in the orange since the CDC began producing the map earlier this year, as data indicates improvements in both total number of new cases per capita and lower positive test rates over the last seven days.
Across Iowa, 8,186 positive tests were recorded, 9 percent of tests administered, for a total of 530,607. Another 104 Iowa residents died, bringing the statewide death toll to 7,069.
More than 1.7 million residents have completed their vaccination series in Iowa, and 22,902 residents of Muscatine County.
Contact your physician or Muscatine County Public Health at 563-263-0122 for advice on vaccinations and boosters.