Lafayette County saw a rather large increase in the number of positive cases of COVID-19 over the weekend.

As of Monday afternoon, the Lafayette County Health Department has confirmed a total of 353 cases of the virus which is an increase of 32 new cases since Friday.

There were twelve new cases that came in over the weekend and seven new cases were reported on Monday.  Nineteen other cases reported on Monday have been in isolation at the county jail for the last 10 days, with no contact with staff or other inmates.

According to the Health Department, reports show that Good Shepherd Nursing Home had 18 residents positive previously and over the weekend and seven more today.

There was one more COVID-19 related death in Lafayette County bring the total to four since the start of the pandemic.

As school has started now, it is vital that people be honest in helping contact tracers identify contacts to prevent rapid spread and avoiding the creation of more positive cases and so working to keep kids in school. It is vital that positive cases remain in isolation at home and do not go to public events here or in other counties. Sick people need to stay home until released from isolation or if not tested, an OK by their medical provider. The curve will never flatten unless we all pull together and work together to comply with health regulations and recommendations.