According to latest statistics compiled by the Iowa Department of Public Health, the percentage of positive cases of COVID-19 in Ringgold County is well above the state average over the past seven days.
The county recorded a positivity rate of 23 percent among those tested, more than double the state average of 11.8 percent.
In fact, Ringgold County’s percentage is among the highest of all 99 Iowa counties.
Adams County at 21 percent and Taylor County at 10 percent also reported percentages well above the state average.
Other area counties came in at or below the state average: Clarke 12 percent, Decatur 10 percent and Union 9 percent.
Even with the recent spike in positive cases, Ringgold County still ranks third in the fewest number of positive cases since the beginning of the pandemic.
At 402 total positive cases, Ringgold County trails only Adams County with 288 positive results and Audubon County with 399.
In comparison, totals from surrounding counties include 1,062 in Union, 739 in Clarke, 581 in Taylor, and 462 in Decatur.
Of those positive cases, in Ringgold County eight deaths have been directly attributed to COVID-19 with one additional death indirectly attributed to COVID-19 since March. Death tolls in surrounding counties include Union – 20 (20 directly – 0 indirectly), Taylor – 9 (7-2), Clarke – 7 (7-0), Decatur – 4 (4-0), and Adams – 3 (3-0).
COVID-related statistics are updated daily at the state’s official pandemic website – coronavirus.iowa.gov.
