IDPH reports new cases of COVID-19 in Calhoun County

Editor’s Note: As of press time, the IDPH reported 14 positive cases of COVID-19. By the time of uploading this story to our website, the number dropped down to 13 cases. There has also been one recovery reported, bringing up the number of recoveries to three.

For the most part, Calhoun County has been relatively fortunate during the COVID-19 situation. The reason’s for the county’s low numbers have been preventative measures enacted by county and municipal officials, wide open spaces and the lack of large meat processing plants.

As both positive cases have recovered that had been previously confirmed have since recovered, the direct impact of COVID-19 hasn’t subsided just yet.

A third case of COVID-19 was reported by the Iowa Department of Public Health on June 2, before two more positive cases were reported by the IDPH this past Thursday. This past Friday, the IDPH reported three more positive cases of COVID-19, followed by six new cases by this past Monday.

As of press time, 456 individuals within the county have been tested for COVID-19.

Calhoun County Public Health confirmed these cases to The Graphic-Advocate. However, the county health department, due to patient privacy, provided no other demographic information.

Even though there were 14 total cases of COVID-19 within county residents, the first two patients had recovered. The first positive case within Calhoun County was reported on May 1, with the second case reported on May 20.

Calhoun County Public Health continues to advise residents to maintain social distancing measures, to wash their hands frequently and to stay home if they are sick.

While numbers have started to level off around the state of Iowa, nearby Buena Vista County has experienced surging numbers. The surges in positive cases are due to the presence of the Tyson Foods pork processing plant in Storm Lake.

Among the hardest hit counties are Polk, Woodbury, Black Hawk and Linn County.

Over the course of the ongoing COVID-19 situation, there have been nearly 22,000 positive cases with nearly 12,500 noted recoveries. Sadly, there have been more than 600 deaths as a result of COVID-19 complications.