COVID-19 positivity rate higher than state average

Union County’s 14-day positivity rate is at 21.8% with a total of 944 positive cases, 566 of whom have recovered, Union County Emergency Management Director Jo Anne Duckworth said during her COVID-19 update at the Union County Board of Supervisors meeting Monday.

The state's averages are dropping, Duckworth said, with a 14-day positivity rate of 15.1% and a seven-day positivity rate of 11.1%.

"Hopefully we will see a drop in our numbers also," she said.

Two Union County facilities are in outbreak status with 81 positive cases between them, 25 of which have occurred in the last 14 days.

"I believe we will see the status of one facility change today," she said.

A total of 2275 tests and eight serology tests have been conducted at the Test Iowa site.

Union County has had 10 deaths due to COVID-19.

Duckworth said the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine that arrive in Union County will go to long term care facilities and health care staff. No date has been confirmed for the doses to be delivered.

Union County Supervisor Ron Riley asked if there was anything the supervisors could do to help.

“Plans are already in place to have those administered,” she said. “As we get a wider distribution of vaccine and there are more places and people to deal with then that may be a good possibility. ... This process will be a several-month-long process.”