DES MOINES, Iowa - Iowa's reached another milestone as the COVID-19 pandemic continues its downward trend.
The state now has its lowest number of COVID-19 hospitalizations since last July.
As of Friday morning, there were 196 hospitalized patients, marking the first time that number has been below 200 since mid-July.
The news comes as Iowa's overall positivity rate has also been in a steady downward trend.
The state has not fared as well in delivering the second dose of COVID-19 vaccines to people.
Iowa is dead last among states for second shots given, according to the New York Times running rollout of vaccines.
However, the state ranks in the top third for delivering the first dose.
Iowa could benefit from its better performance for first doses as Johnson and Johnson's single shot vaccines could get federal approval as early as Saturday.