Webster County has gained 57 new COVID-19 cases and two more deaths in the last five days, according to data from Webster County Public Health (WCPH) and the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH).

Webster County now has a total of 14 deaths, six of which have accumulated since Aug. 20, according to IDPH data. The total number of cases is 1,169.

Monday’s report follows increases of 31, 59 and 47 cases in previous reports from WCPH.

The county has gained 322 new cases in the last month since August 12, a 38% increase in the total amount of cases.

Webster County’s positivity rate, the proportion of those tested whose results are positive for COVID-19, has averaged 9.3% over the last two weeks, according to the Iowa Department of Public Health.

Of the cases, 808 have been in the community at large, and 74 remain open with WCPH.

There have been no new cases at the Fort Dodge Correctional Facility, which has contained the novel coronavirus after an outbreak led to 361 cases and three inmate deaths.

The cases fall into the following age categories:

• Children (age 0-17): 59.

• Adults (age 18-40): 562.

• Middle-aged adults (age 41-60): 356.

• Older adults (age 61-80): 165.

• Elderly adults (age 81+): 27.

Webster County Public Health officials continue to recommend mask use in public.

With the advent of allergy season, public health officials also advise the public to know the difference in symptoms and use caution appropriately, even if unsure what to attribute symptoms to.

“COVID-19 and seasonal allergies are not the same thing, though they share some symptoms including cough, sore throat, and congestion,” said Kelli Bloomquist, public information officer for WCPH. “However, COVID-19 symptoms also include fever and chills, muscle and body aches, new loss of taste or smell, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, and shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. If you aren’t sure if your symptoms are COVID-19 or allergies, please stay home until you know for sure and contact your primary care doctor to see if testing is needed.”

Testing is available through your primary care physician, at UnityPoint Health locations and at Community Health Center in Fort Dodge by appointment.