Increasing by more than 1,200 on Friday, August 21, the total number of positive COVID-19 cases in the state is nearing 73,000.

According to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, the total number of positive cases was 72,964- up from 71,733 on Thursday, August 20.

The number of COVID-19-related deaths increased by two from 1,417 on Thursday to 1,419 on Friday. However, DHSS does not report how many positive patients have recovered.

DHSS expects the next update to take place at 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 22.