DES MOINES, Iowa - The number of Iowa counties with high COVID-19 positivity rates continues to spike.
As of early Wednesday, 61 out of 99 counties have reached the level where school districts can move to eliminate in-person classes. That threshold is a 15% positivity rate over a 14-day average.
One county, Wayne, has a positivity rate of more than 33.7%, well more than double the threshold.
In addition, hospitalizations have hit a new high since the pandemic began,777 as of early Wednesday. There are 83 COVID-19 outbreaks at long term care centers, which is also near a high mark in the state.
Iowa continues to have the 5th highest positivity rate in the country, and the 10th highest death rate. There appears to be no shortage of hospital beds, as the current rate of availability is almost 34 percent.