As the number of COVID-19 patients in Iowa hospital beds and intensive care units continues to climb to levels not seen since the worst of the pandemic a year ago, local health experts forecast a trying winter as flu season only complicates a spreading disease.
According to data released Wednesday by the Iowa Department of Public Health, 777 people were hospitalized in the state as a result of the Coronavirus. The last time hospitalizations were that high was December 15th, 2020, when 798 patients were admitted.
In just the latest 24 hour period measured, 133 COVID-19 patients were admitted to Iowa Hospitals, the highest since 141 on December 8th, 2020.