Marion County Public Health confirmed 114 new cases of COVID-19 from October 26th through November 2nd.

There are 996 recoveries and 135 considered active. Eleven deaths have been attributed to the virus since the beginning of the outbreak. The two week average positive test rate is at 16 percent, which is above the 15 percent threshold schools can use coupled with high attendance to switch to virtual classes for the first time since September.

The State of Iowa Coronavirus website database shows 1,161 positive tests of COVID-19 as of 2 p.m. Monday — Marion County Public Health only releases case information for those that have been confirmed by their staff.

As of Sunday, there were 10 Marion County residents hospitalized, as the state sees a large surge in the number of COVID-19 patients.

Pella Regional Health Center and Knoxville Hospital and Clinics released a statement Monday urging the public to wear face masks and practice social distancing to help slow the number of cases in the county and to help them better manage resources, as the current surge of patients is anticipated to continue.

Several area schools are continuing to monitor in-person learning and other restrictions due to the increase in positive testing rate. As of Monday, Pella Schools had two percent of students and 2.5% of staff missing, with three confirmed positive tests of students. Knoxville will be proceeding as normal for now, as they have one positive case out of their students/staff as of Monday.

PCM reported three percent absenteeism and placed additional restrictions on outside visitors in school buildings, including:

– No volunteers, with the exception of volunteer coaches who have been approved by the district office. No meetings or gatherings in school buildings (PTA/PTO/Boosters,banquets, etc.)
– School board meetings will be held virtually until further notice. (No outside guests)
– Spectators at all PCM hosted extra-curricular activities will be limited to household members
only until Jan. 4, 2020. We will do our best to provide live stream and virtual options if feasible.
(Guidelines will be forthcoming from Activities Director, Greg Bonnett)
– Continue to strongly encourage parents to transport students to and from school and
extracurricular activities as much as possible.