Positive COVID-19 cases increased by nearly 40 in an area county on Friday, September 18.

According to the Lafayette County Health Department, 38 new positive cases were confirmed- 21 at the Lutheran Good Shepherd Home and 17 community cases- raising the county’s total to 408 since the beginning of the pandemic. With four deaths and 273 positive patients recovered, there are 131 active cases. Health department director Tom Emmerson says 20 percent of the county’s residents have been tested.

In Pettis County, the total positive case count grew by 29 from 915 on Thursday to 944 on Friday. With 782 positive patients recovered and 11 deaths, there are 151 active cases, including five persons hospitalized.

Twelve new positive cases were reported in Saline County, upping its total to 677. With 590 positive patients recovered- including 10 on Friday- and 10 deaths, there are 77 active cases, including four persons hospitalized.

Including Thursday and Friday, six new cases were reported in Howard County, increasing its total to 256. With 195 positive patients recovered- including 11 over the same time frame- and one death, there are 60 active cases, including two persons hospitalized.

In Carroll County, four new positive cases were added on Friday, increasing its total to 115. With 107 positive patients recovered and one death, there are seven active cases.

Updates were not available from Chariton and Cooper Counties.