Iowa COVID-19 website adds serology testing numbers

Gov. Kim Reynolds showed changes in Iowa's COVID-19 website during her news conference on Tuesday.

The updated website now shows serology testing numbers along with updated virus case counts.

Serology testing looks for the presence of antibodies in an individual according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Antibodies can be found in the blood of people who are tested after an infection and can show that people have had an immune response to the infection, the CDC website says. However, the CDC does not know if antibodies that result from SARS-CoV 2 will provide someone with immunity from a future infection.

In Iowa, 1,672 individuals have tested positive during serology testing according to Iowa Department of Public Health data, including one each in Washington and Henry counties. Overall, 12,069 Iowans have been tested.

Across the state there were 341 new positive cases of the COVID-19 virus during the time of Reynolds' news conference, bringing Iowa's total to 15,296 virus cases. 107,196 Iowans have been tested for the virus so far, which is equal to one out of every 29 Iowans being tested according to IDPH data.

Additionally, there were 12 new deaths due to the virus, bringing Iowa's total number of deaths due to COVID-19 to 367.

In the Tri-County area, there were no new cases on Tuesday for Washington, Jefferson or Henry counties. However, after a numbers adjustment, Jefferson County has 12 total cases and Henry County has 47 total cases. Washington County remains at 173.

Overall, 7,847 Iowans have been confirmed as recovered from the virus. Locally, Washington County has 132 of its residents confirmed as recovered. Jefferson County has eight recovered cases. Henry County has 41 recovered cases.