Humboldt and Buena Vista counties each marked their first COVID-19 deaths Monday afternoon.

The first victim confirmed by Humboldt County Public Health was an older adult (age 61-80.)

Information on the first Buena Vista County victim, confirmed only by the Iowa Department of Public Health, was not available before press time.

“We wish to extend our sympathy to this individual’s family,” said Humboldt County Public Health Director Joleen Sernett. “Humboldt County Public Health and all of our key partners throughout the county and state continue to work to limit the spread and impact of this virus in our communities.”

Patient privacy laws prohibit the release of any other identifying details.

Humboldt County has 18 positive cases of COVID-19, broken down into the following age categories:

• Adult (age 18-40): 3.

• Middle age adult (age 41-60): 13.

• Older adult (age 61-80): 1.

• Elderly adult (age 81+): 1.

Twelve have recovered.

A total of 1,599 people have been tested for COVID-19 in Humboldt County, according to the Iowa Department of Public Health, about 16% of the county’s estimated population.

Buena Vista County had 810 COVID-19 cases as of Monday at 7 p.m., the highest per capita rate in Iowa. There, 1 in 25 people have tested positive for the coronavirus, a per capita rate higher than all five boroughs of New York City, where The New York Times reported 1 in 40 people were infected as of Monday.

Humboldt County Public Health continues to strongly encourage all vulnerable Iowans, including those with preexisting medical conditions and those older than 65, to continue to limit their activities outside of their home, including businesses, and their participation in gatherings of any size and any purpose.

“We encourage all Iowans to limit their in-person interactions with vulnerable Iowans and to exercise particular care and caution when engaging in any necessary interactions,” HCPH said in a press release.