5 new cases reported Tuesday, Humboldt County at 7 percent positivity

Humboldt County Public Health reports an additional 14 new cases of COVID-19 in the county since July 26, raising the number of positive cases in the county since the pandemic first started to 1,265 cases.
The latest figures released on Tuesday, Aug. 3, show five additional cases of COVID-19 in the county. The breakdown is two people in the 18-40 age group, two in the 41-60 age category and one in the 81 or older group.
Coronavirus.iowa.gov reports that Humboldt County has had nine positive cases in the past week for a 7 percent positivity rate. Several counties in southern, western and north central Iowa are reporting positivity rates above 10 percent. The current statewide average is just over 7 percent.
The website reports that there are 46 Iowans currently hospitalized with COVID-19. Those are the highest numbers since April 2021. The high mark for hospitalizations was 258, back in November 2020.
Residents can now access free at-home, self-administered COVID-19 testing kits through Humboldt County Public Health as part of a partnership with the Iowa Department of Public Health and Test Iowa.
The free COVID-19 test kit will walk residents through a step-by-step process on how to collect their saliva. The kits are available by calling Humboldt County Public Health at 515-332-2492. Our office hours are Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Once the saliva sample is collected, the kit can then be shipped via UPS using a prepaid UPS label included with the test kit. The kit is then received at the State Hygienic Lab. Results will later be sent via email within 24 hours from the when the sample is received at the lab. For more information or to watch a video on how to collect and return a sample visit www.testiowa.com.
COVID-19 testing continues to also be available at the UnityPoint Clinic Family Medicine by appointment and at the HCMH Walk-In Clinic on Friday’s from 3-7 p.m. and Saturday’s and Sunday’s from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
The best way for residents to protect themselves against COVID-19 is to get vaccinated. Vaccines continue to be available in Humboldt County at the Humboldt Hy-Vee and Larry’s Pharmacy.
If you or you know someone who has considerable difficulty and/or requires significant support to leave the home for medical appointments please call Humboldt County Public Health at 515-332-2492. This line is staffed Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.