Iowa’s daily COVID-19 cases have spiked nearly 250 percent in the past two weeks, but remain at levels similar to the beginning of the pandemic early last year, the New York Times reported.

There are signs of trouble in the latest rise in Iowa cases, as the more contagious delta variant continues to dominate. Though the state averaged 225 new COVID-19 cases a day as of Sunday, up 242 percent in two weeks, there were 574 new cases on Saturday.

On several recent days, Iowa recorded 300 or more new cases, the Times reported.

As recently as July 9, the state’s daily average for new cases was as low as 39.

Iowa ranks in lower half of states for COVID cases

The Washington Post reported that Iowa ranked 38th among the states in daily COVID cases per capita, based on a seven-day rolling average. That figure was up 30 percent.

The Times reported that hospitalizations had risen to 207 on Saturday, a two-week jump of 13 percent, the Times reported.

Iowa has continued to administer fewer vaccinations, with less than half the population fully vaccinated. The Washington Post reported 49.3 percent of Iowans are fully vaccinated.

The increased cases have some politicians wondering about strategies.

At a news conference Monday, House Democratic Leader Jennifer Konfrst of Windsor Heights said she questions if enough planning has occurred for the return of students to classrooms this fall, when schools will be prohibited to require masks under a new state law. The delta variant has spiked COVID-19 cases nationwide.

Planning for fall

“We should be doing more to address what’s going to happen in schools this fall…This would have been a great time all summer to be addressing how we’re going to keep kids safe in classrooms when they can’t be required to wear masks and they can’t get vaccines yet,” Konfrst told reporters.

State Sen. Liz Mathis, D-Marion, said the state also should be preparing for COVID-19 booster shots.

A spokesman for Gov. Kim Reynolds did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

Iowa’s COVID cases jump nearly 250% in two weeks