Iowa reported a record 250 deaths linked to the coronavirus Sunday (1/31), which is the biggest one-day increase the state has recorded. The state reported 4,901 deaths linked to COVID-19 on Sunday morning. But the 250 deaths reported Sunday didn’t all occur within the last 24 hours. The deaths included many from the end of December and early January because it often takes more than a week for deaths to be added to the state totals after a person has died.

Among deaths newly reported Sunday and Saturday, six were in Monroe County, five in Marion County, three in Mahaska and Poweshiek Counties and two in Keokuk, Jasper and Wapello Counties.  Wapello County has had 100 deaths from COVID-19 since the pandemic began.

There was no similar jump in the number of coronavirus cases in Iowa. 1822 new positive tests for COVID-19 were reported over the weekend, bringing the state total as of Sunday to 319,203.  32 new positive coronavirus tests have been reported in Marion County, 21 in Wapello County, 18 in both Jasper and Poweshiek Counties, six in Mahaska County and three new positive tests in both Keokuk and Monroe Counties.