COVID cases surpass 5,000

Iowa reported a steep increase in the number of COVID-19 cases over the weekend, with just over 1,000 cases reported.

The total number of cases reported Sunday, April 26, was 5,476. One additional case was reported over the weekend in Washington County, bringing its total to 132. The number of cases in Henry and Jefferson counties were unchanged, at 31 cases and six cases, respectively.

Thus far, five people in Washington County have died from the novel coronavirus, while 643 have been tested and 100 have recovered. Henry County has reported one death, with 218 people tested and 25 recoveries. Jefferson County has not reported a death, and has administered 121 tests, with six of those having already overcome the disease.

Across the state, six more deaths were reported Sunday, and 286 people are hospitalized. A further 1,900 Iowans have recovered. One in 87 Iowans has been tested for the virus, which has killed 118 people in the state.

The six deaths reported Sunday consisted of three people 81 years and older, two people between 61-80 and one person in Johnson County between the ages of 18-40.

During her Friday news conference, Gov. Kim Reynolds said the large jump in cases is due to elevated levels of testing. Reynolds said as of Friday that one out of 98 Iowans have been tested across the state.

Reynolds also announced that starting on Monday, Iowa's health care systems can begin to offering non-essential and elective surgeries. She is also allowing farmers markets to operate with limitations. Reynolds said she would have more details about her first-phase of reopening the state.