As Gov. Kim Reynolds prepares to let Iowa’s public health emergency proclamation expire on Feb. 15, COVID-19 case numbers continue to decline substantially both in Marshall County and across the state.

According to data from Marshall County Public Health, there were just 198 new positive tests reported in Marshall County over the last seven days, and the positivity rate declined to eight percent, dropping the transmission rate from high to substantial for the first time in 2022. Despite the seemingly positive news on cases, however, Marshall County did add three COVID-related deaths and has now surpassed 100 dating back to the beginning of the pandemic.

Marshall County Public Health Director Pat Thompson said she is, in general, encouraged by the drop in cases locally, but she encouraged residents — especially those with big upcoming plans — to be safe and smart.

“You can still get it, and it’s easy — if it’s out there, and you’re vulnerable and exposed — it’s easy to get COVID-19,” she said. “If you have something coming up that you can’t get sick for or don’t want to, this is a time to decide to protect yourself so you don’t have to miss things.”

In addition, Thompson said she isn’t sure how the end of the public health emergency proclamation — which about half of all states have allowed to expire already — will affect the reporting of case, vaccine and hospitalization numbers going forward. Gov. Reynolds, in an announcement, said COVID information would still be posted weekly on the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) website similar to how flu activity is reported, and the state and its health care providers will continue to share information as required by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The state’s coronavirus and vaccination websites will be decommissioned on Feb. 16.

The percentage of fully vaccinated eligible Marshall County residents inched up from 64.1 percent to 64.4 percent in the last week. Currently, final approval is still pending on a vaccine for children between the ages of six months and five years old.

Across the state, there are currently 617 patients hospitalized with COVID-19, including 99 in the last 24 hours, and 117 active outbreaks at long-term care facilities.

COVID-19 in Marshall County

• Seven day percent of positive test rate: 8 percent

• Seven day number of cases: 198

• CDC transmission level: SUBSTANTIAL

• Eligible and Fully vaccinated: 64.4 percent

• New deaths this week: 3

• Total deaths: 101

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Contact Robert Maharry

at 641-753-6611 ext. 255 or

rmaharry@timesrepublican.com.