KEOKUK COUNTY SEES 10.9% POSITIVITY RATE

KEOKUK CO. IA—The COVID 19 crisis drags on. The New Year has brought new challenges and new regulations. Keokuk County has extended the Infectious Disease Action Plan for another three months, which will coincide with the one-year anniversary of the pandemic. 

The numbers can be overwhelming, so let’s see if we can break them down for you just a little.

KEOKUK COUNTY: Population: 10,246. Cases: 822. Deaths: 25

Surrounding counties have also been dealing with the pandemic as well.

MAHASKA COUNTY: Pop: 22,095. Cases: 1826. Deaths: 35.

WASHINGTON COUNTY: Pop: 21,965. Cases: 2032. Deaths: 29

IOWA COUNTY: Pop: 16,184. Cases: 118. Deaths: 22

POWESHIEK COUNTY: Pop: 18,504. Cases: 1262. Deaths: 24

JEFFERSON COUNTY: Pop: 18,295 Cases: 1130 Deaths: 23.

MONROE COUNTY: Pop: 7,707. Cases: 744. Deaths: 19.

WAPELLO COUNTY: Pop: 34,969. Cases: 3257. Deaths: 93.

So, what’s the good news? [These are not official numbers; this is simple arithmetic.] The fatality rate of Keokuk County (estimated) is 0.24%. The infection rate is 8.34%. In Mahaska County, the fatality rate is 0.16% while the infection rate is 8.26%.  The highest number of deaths comes from the highest populated county, Wapello, with 93. Even at that high number, the fatality rate is 0.27% with an infection rate of 9.31%.

As numbers rise and vaccines become available, (we’ll have more about the vaccines in the next issue) we continue on with the same grit that led us from the first settlements into amongst the stars. Continue to take precautions like washing hands, wearing masks, social distancing, etc. And if you feel sick; stay home and get a doctor’s appointment right away. We will get through this together.