Iowa records another 100 deaths from COVID as new cases dip; Gov. Kim Reynolds hints at vaccine mandate ban

The number of COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations continued to dip in Iowa during the past week, although the state recorded another 100 deaths from the disease, according to data released Wednesday by the Iowa Department of Public Health. 

Infections and hospitalizations from the disease have been falling for several weeks, but they remain significantly above where they were before the delta variant of the coronavirus swept into the state in summer. 

Many of the COVID-19 deaths recorded over the past week were from previous weeks or months. Experts hope to see those numbers decline in the coming weeks, following the infection trends. 

Although COVID-19 numbers have been falling, public health officials continue to urge caution. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to list Iowa has an area with “high transmission.” Federal experts say people in those areas should take measures such as wearing masks when in public, indoor spaces. The most important step people can take is to be fully vaccinated against the disease, experts say.

The number of Iowans fully vaccinated against COVID-19 has been creeping up, and now has reached 65% of all eligible residents, according to the Iowa Department of Public Health. 

Some employers have begun requiring workers to be vaccinated or undergo regular testing. Such mandates could become more common if President Joe Biden's administration follows through on plans to require most workers in companies with more than 100 workers to be vaccinated or undergo regular COVID-19 testing.

However, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds told reporters Wednesday that she opposes such mandates and she is talking to legislators about trying to block them.

The Republican governor noted she has been vaccinated and she has urged other Iowans to do so.

“But I believe that that is a personal choice. I do not believe that we should make an individual choose between working and putting food on their table or losing their employment because of a mandate,” Reynolds said. “I don't believe that we should tell our men and women who have put their life on the line, whether it's law enforcement or military, that they have to get a vaccine or quit.”

It's not clear what would happen if Iowa legislators passed a law barring employer vaccination mandates if that law conflicted with federal orders.

Read more on COVID-19 in Iowa :

• State announces Test Iowa dropoff sites, test locator
• For subscribers: Nursing homes are seeing COVID outbreaks. Will vaccine mandate help or hurt?
• As COVID cases rise, testing is in high demand across Iowa

The latest COVID-19 numbers in Iowa

The latest data, as of 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 20, compared to the previous Wednesday.

• Confirmed cases: 476,426, an increase of 6,907. 
• Deaths: 6,848, an increase of 100.
• Total tested: 2,085,115.
• Total recovered: 435,616.
• Statewide 14-day positivity rate: 8.3%

How many Iowans are hospitalized with COVID-19?

• Hospitalizations: 557, down from 598 one week ago
• Patients in ICU: 142, down from 150
• Patients on ventilators: 67, down from 78

How many people in Polk and Dallas counties are vaccinated?

In Polk County, 284,165 (58%) residents are fully vaccinated, an increase of 1,841 (0.6 percentage points) since last week.

In Dallas County, 54,041 (58%) residents are fully vaccinated, an increase of 362 (0.4 percentage points).

For a county-by-county look at the vaccination rollout, see our COVID-19 vaccine tracker, which is updated weekly.