Webster County has gained 28 new COVID-19 cases since Tuesday, according to Webster County Public Health, bringing the county’s total to 778. One additional death brought the county’s death toll to seven.

Since the pandemic began, 11.4% of all people tested in Webster County have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, according to the Iowa Department of Public Health. Data for Wednesday from the IDPH said that 35% of the 34 people tested yesterday were infected, though that data does not include new cases found by Webster County Public Health for Tuesday or Thursday.

Overall, Iowa’s positivity rating — the percentage of people tested who were found to be positive for COVID-19 — stands at just over 10%, giving the state the 15th highest positivity rate in the country, according to data from the John Hopkins University’s School of Medicine. Public health organizations such as the World Health Organization broadly advise that positivity rates should remain at about 5% or lower to keep public accommodations and certain other institutions open.

Of the 778 cases in Webster County, 354 have been confirmed in the Fort Dodge Correctional Facility and 424 in the rest of the county. The number of cases not recovered stands at 101 in the county and 31 in the prison.

Cases in the county fall into the following age categories:

• Children (age 0-17): 35

• Adults (age 18-40): 399

• Middle-aged adults (age 41-60): 236

• Older adults (age 61-80): 93

• Elderly adults (age 81+): 15

“As cases continue to increase, Webster County Public Health reminds residents to refrain from being in close contact with someone who you are not co-exposed to and regularly around,” said WCPH public information officer Kelli Bloomquist. “If you are not sure of others’ exposure risks, make sure to wear a mask.”

Those with any symptoms, even those they’re not sure are due to COVID-19, should remain home until they know with certainty to avoid exposing others.