Iowa is experiencing its highest number of active COVID hospitalizations in nearly a year.

There are 777 COVID-19 related hospitalizations in the state according to the Iowa Department of Public Health. The last time hospitalizations were higher was Dec. 8, 2020. The 777 total hospitalizations includes 133 new cases admitted in the last 24 hours.

There are 185 people in intensive care, and just 152 ICU beds are still available. About 25 percent of inpatient beds are available, and COVID infection is the primary diagnosis in 72 percent of the 777 hospitalizations.

People not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 make up a large majority of current hospitalizations. More than 73 percent of people hospitalized with COVID-19 are not fully vaccinated, including more than 84 percent of ICU patients.

The 60-69 age group represents the largest share of hospitalizations with 189 patients. Of those patients, 139 are unvaccinated, also the most of an age group. There are seven children under the age of 11 and three between 12-17 who are hospitalized, only one of whom is vaccinated.

There are 17 active outbreaks in long term care facilities, two less than last week.

The rate of positive cases in the state remains around 12 percent, but the quantity has increased greatly leading into this week. According to IDPH’s graph of positive tests in the last 14 days, Iowa has climbed to a number of positive tests not seen since a year ago. The percentage of positive tests on Sunday reached 14, a rate last seen on Dec. 4, 2020.

Similarly, Marshall County’s rate of positivity remains at seven percent, but because more people are being tested, there were 19 more cases in the last seven days than last week at this time.

People in the 18-29 age group account for the highest percentage of positive cases in the last seven days with 19 percent of the total. Children younger than 17 years old and adults 30-39 each make up 17 percent of positive cases, and two percent of cases have been found in people 80 or older, which is the lowest percentage by age group.

Across the state, there have been 11,707 new positive cases reported in the last seven days.

The county did not report any new deaths from COVID-19 this week, and its total remains at 94. There have been 7,550 COVID deaths in Iowa since the start of the pandemic, including 105 deaths in the last seven days. Fifty-four percent of those who have died have been 80 or older, and 93 percent have had pre-existing conditions.

Iowa has surpassed 4.3 million doses of the COVID vaccine administered this week. More than 69 percent of adults 18 and older have been fully vaccinated, and more than 72 percent of children 12 and older have received at least one dose.

In Marshall County, more than 60 percent of people 12 and older have been fully vaccinated, including 72 percent of children between the ages of 12 and 17, more than 74 percent of adults 18 and older and 95 percent of adults 65 and older.

COVID-19 IN MARSHALL COUNTY

• Seven day percent of positive test rate: 7 percent

• Seven day number of cases: 77

• CDC transmission level: HIGH

• Eligible and Fully vaccinated (not included 5-11 year old): 59 percent

• New deaths this week: 0

• Total deaths: 94