The number of new coronavirus cases continues to climb and no doubt there are many who are either numb to the numbers in the state by now or don’t care to pay attention to them.

It appears the key stat right now is the rolling 14-day positivity testing rate, where a 20 percent rate and above was determined weeks ago to be a benchmark.

In the seven counties we track, Grundy County leads the way with a 27.2 percent rate, with Marshall, Tama, and Jasper counties above that 20 percent figure as well.

Overall, over 43-hundred new cases of COVID added to the state’s website since midday yesterday and 26 new deaths attributed in part to the rona. 1,135 Iowans were hospitalized last night with the virus.