DES MOINES, Iowa - Iowa is changing the way it compiles COVID-19 deaths, which is leading to an increase in reported deaths.
The Iowa Department of Public Health is now accepting the diagnoses from health care providers, not just positive tests to determine virus deaths.
Interim state Public Health Director Kelly Garcia says the change follows the federal standard and is in line with how other causes of death are recorded.
The new methodology has led to an increase of almost 200 reported deaths on the state's COVID-19 dashboard as of Monday night.
The COVID-19 death total for the state is now 2,898.
The new method means the employment information of the person who died will not be included. Since the pandemic took hold, employment background has been used to pinpoint the severity of virus outbreaks at places such as meatpacking plants.
Reporting of deaths has surge in the early part of December, peaking at 84 on December 4th.The numbers most likely reflect deaths that occurred in November, however, because of lag time in reporting. The Centers for Disease Control says it takes at least 10 days, and often longer for death numbers to be reported.
Separately, the first resident death at a Department of Human Services building was reported Monday.The state is not revealing which of the six facilities where the death occurred.