Hunter
07/21/22
Although Johnson and Linn counties have seen a decrease in weekly COVID-19 cases in the past week, new data shows another increase in statewide cases.
This week, statewide reported cases hit 5301, higher than the 5187 reported the week before but less than the 30 percent increase from the 3900 range over the previous month.
Officials say the numbers are probably higher due to people not reporting positive at home tests for the coronavirus.
Johnson County cases dropped by 23 to 343 in the last seven days, while Linn County dropped by 13 to 485.
Increased levels of COVID-19 cases are attributed to the BA-5 variant, which has been shown to be highly transmissible. Local public health departments are urging the public to be more vigilant about mitigation efforts, short of recommending a mask mandate. Those efforts include wearing a mask indoors in public settings, social distancing, and good hand hygiene.
41 new fatalities were reported, bringing the state total since the pandemic began to 9759.