Webster County Public Health confirmed three new COVID-19 cases Wednesday, bringing the county to 18 confirmed cases, with 19 attributed to Webster County by the state.

The three new cases in Webster County added one count each to the adult, middle age adult, and older adult categories.

Confirmed COVID-19 cases fall into the following age categories:

• Child (age 0-17): 1

• Adult (age 18-40): 7

• Middle age adult (age 41-60): 6

• Older adult (age 61-80): 4

The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) attributed 19 cases to Webster County as of press time Wednesday. Since the IDPH updates cases in real time, Webster County Public Health (WCPH) could not immediately confirm the age category of the 19th case, or whether it belonged to Webster County.

WCPH officials confirm details of each case reported and conduct contact tracing. Some cases can be misattributed to a county for a variety of reasons, such as a recent move or transient living circumstances.

Ten of the cases have recovered since their diagnosis. A total of 1,140 people have been tested for COVID-19 in Webster County, about 3.1% of the county’s population, according to the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH.)

“It is important to remember that our numbers will ebb and flow back and forth as positive tests are received and disease investigations completed,” said Webster County Public Health Director Kari Prescott. “Once we validate residency and contact tracing for each positive patient, we will update the public with factual information.”

Statewide, the total positive count totalled 15,533 as of Wednesday. Another 21 deaths were reported Wednesday, bringing the statewide toll to 388 by press time.

WCPH said they will contact anyone closely exposed to a positive patient.