Increasing by more than 1,400, the total number of positive cases of COVID-19 in the state since the beginning of the pandemic surpassed 78,000 on Wednesday, August 26.

According to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, the total number of positive cases was 78,062- up from 76,647 on Tuesday.

The number of COVID-19-related deaths was 1,449- up from 1,440 on Tuesday. However, DHSS does not report how many positive patients have recovered.

DHSS says the next update will take place at 2 p.m. on Thursday, August 27.