Iowa Corrects Coronavirus Case Under-Counting

The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) has inadvertently been reporting fewer new SARS-CoV-2 infections and a smaller percentage of daily positive tests, according to Dana Jones, an Iowa City nurse practitioner. 'It’s particularly significant because school districts are relying on state data to determine whether they will offer in-person instruction when school resumes in the coming days and weeks,' reported the AP on August 17, 2020.

On August 20, 2020, IDPH reported a 4.4% coronavirus positivity rate, with Polk County (Des Moines) confirming the vast majority of Iowa's cases during 2020.