Six new COVID-19 related deaths were reported in Marshall County by the Iowa Department of Public Health this week.

Marshall County’s death toll from the virus is 68. Iowa’s eclipsed 5,000, reaching 5,033. There have been 322,527 positive cases in the state including 4,443 in Marshall County.

According to USAFacts.org, the United States is averaging 113,781 new cases and 2,647 new deaths per day over the last seven days. The average number of deaths per day is higher than it was in November.

Iowa’s average deaths per day in the same period is 68. The highest death total in a day recorded in Iowa was Dec. 17 with 111. USAFacts models show deaths per day climbing since hitting a low of 12 on Jan. 27.

The surge in COVID-19 deaths comes as three cases of the virus’ new variant were reported in Iowa Monday. The new strain, SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 — referred to as the U.K. variant because it was first detected in the United Kingdom — was found in two people in Johnson County. One of the people is an adult, 18-40 years old, and the other is a middle-age adult 41-60. Another case is in Bremer County in an adult.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website on the new strain says mutations are expected in viruses and cause them to act differently. Mutations can make the virus cause more severe disease, spread more easily and make them more difficult to treat.

The IDPH COVID-19 dashboard added statistics on vaccine distribution this week. According to the site 275,706 doses of the vaccine have been administered in Iowa including 262,719 to Iowa residents. Moderna vaccine doses accounted for 154,163 of the vaccinations. There are 69,232 people who have received their second dose of the vaccine.

In Marshall County 775 vaccination cycles have been initiated and 425 have been completed.

The most vaccinations done in a day in Iowa was 13,879 on Jan. 27.

The percentage of vaccine doses administered by race and ethnicity are:

White: 74.82 percent

African American: 1.13 percent

Asian: 1.02 percent

Hispanic or Latino: 1.48 percent

American Indian or Alaska Native: 0.17 percent

Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander: 0.06 percent

More than 70 percent of vaccinations have been to women. The age group to receive the largest portion of vaccinations is 50-59 year olds with 17.4 percent. People 80 years old or older have received 11.37 percent of the vaccines.

Marshall County has two active outbreaks in long-term care facilities. IDPH reports 17 positive cases at Accura Healthcare of Marshalltown and 10 positive cases at the Iowa Veterans Home. IVH Commandant Timon Oujiri highlighted how the statistics reported are not always accurate or up to date. Last week IDPH reported five cases at IVH while the correct number was seven infections in residents and three among staff.

Accura released a statement on its outbreak last Friday stating it went into outbreak status on January 15. As of Jan. 29, there were seven residents and three staff who tested positive.

“We are extremely grateful for our dedicated employees who have been and continue to be heroes in delivering care on the frontlines of this pandemic,” the press release reads.

Across Iowa there are 47 active outbreaks in long-term care facilities. Forty percent of patients are symptomatic. Residents of long-term care facilities account for 2,064 deaths.

There are 360 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 infections and 62 percent (223) are admitted with COVID-19 as their primary diagnosis. In the last 24 hours, new patients were admitted. There are 77 people in intensive care and 31 on ventilators.

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Contact Joe Fisher at 641-753-6611 or jfisher@timesrepublican.com