CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Department of Health is reporting an increase in the number of HIV and AIDS diagnoses reported in the state.

Health department spokesman Jerry Harms says 70 HIV cases and 46 AIDS diagnoses were reported during the first half of 2009.

Harms says figures for the entire 2009 year won't be available until March. He says the relatively small number of HIV/AIDS cases in Iowa makes it difficult to draw many conclusions about trend lines. However, Harms says it appears the trend is upward.

As of last June 30, there were 1,667 people, 1,314 males and 353 females, living in Iowa who had tested positive for HIV or AIDS.

Polk County had the highest number of residents diagnosed with HIV or AIDS with 470, followed by Scott County with 172.

Watch APCI's Rhea Van Brocklin's interview on WHO-TV!