The number of positive COVID-19 cases continued their rise in several area counties on Friday, August 21.

Pettis County health officials say 24 positive cases were added on Friday, increasing its total to 689. With four deaths and 551 positive patients released to normal activities, there are 134 active cases, including six persons hospitalized.

In Saline County, 11 new positive cases were confirmed on Friday, bringing the overall total to 516. With 430 positive patients recovered- including seven on Friday- and nine deaths, there are 77 active cases in the county.

In Howard county, five new positive cases were confirmed, raising its total to 81. With 59 positive patients recovered- including six on Friday- there are 22 active cases, including three hospitalized.

Four new positive cases were confirmed in Lafayette County, increasing its total to 203. With 165 positive patients recovered and three deaths, there are 35 active cases in the county.

Three new positive cases were confirmed in Cooper County, upping its total to 201. With 157 positive patients recovered and two deaths, there are 42 active cases, including two hospitalized.

One new positive case was confirmed in Chariton County, increasing its total to 24. Since 21 of them have been released from public health isolation as recovered, there are three active cases in the county.

An update was not made available from Carroll County. As of Thursday, 93 total positive cases were confirmed. Since 88 had recovered, there were five active cases in the county.