Updates show the positive numbers of COVID-19 cases continue to rise in several area counties, including by a bunch in two.
According to health-department officials, in Lafayette County, 33 positive cases were added over the past few days, increasing the total to 353 since the beginning of the pandemic. Seven new county residents were reported. Nineteen added cases have been in isolation at the county jail for the last 10 days, with no contact with staff nor other inmates. Good Shepherd Nursing Home had seven more residents added. In addition, one more COVID-19-related death was added, increasing that total to four.
Totals by town zip code to date include: Alma- 17; Bates City- 17; Concordia- 36; Corder- seven; Emma- one; Higginsville- 55; Lexington- 47; Mayview- three; Napoleon- six; Rural Oak Grove- four; Odessa- 51; Waverly- 26; and Wellington- 12.
Institutional residents: Apple Ridge Care Center- 17; Lutheran Good Shepherd Nursing Home- 25; Gene Darnell Justice Center (county jail)-19; Riverbend Heights- four; Waverly Regional Youth Center- six.
Lafayette County Health Center Director Tom Emmerson says, “It is up to us all to take personal responsibility and protect each other. Please comply with the Mask Order and use your masks as indicated.”
Emmerson also says, “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.”
Pettis County’s total positive case count is 884- up 24 from 860 reported on Friday, September 11. With 10 deaths and 744 recoveries, there are 130 active cases, including two persons hospitalized.
Five positive cases were added in Cooper County, raising its total to 353. With 277 positive patients recovered and three deaths, there are 73 active cases, including one person hospitalized. The number of correctional inmates to test positive is 116 and Cooper County residents 238. Eleven positive cases are travel related and 342 are through community transmission. Eighteen positive cases are in nursing and/or assisted-living homes.
In Chariton County, three new positive cases were reported and two positive patients were released from public health isolation as recovered. This makes a total of 64 COVID-19 cases in the county. With 53 of them recovered, there are 11 active cases.
A complete update was not available from Saline County. Health officials say one will be released on Tuesday, September 15.
No update was available from Carroll County nor Howard County.