The number of positive cases of COVID-19 grew by double digits in three area counties on Friday, October 23.

According to health-department officials, since last reported on Monday, October 19, the total number of positive cases jumped by 53 in Lafayette County, increasing its total to 790 since the beginning of the pandemic. With 25 deaths and 621 positive patients being released from public health isolation as recovered, there are 144 active cases. Numbers of new cases by location since that information was reported last Friday are: Alma- one, Bates City- four, Concordia- 20, Corder- two, Dover- one, Emma- one, Higginsville- 21, Lexington- five, Rural Oak Grove- two, Odessa- five, Waverly- two, and Wellington- two.

In Pettis County, 22 new positive cases were added since Thursday, October 22, raising its total to 1,668. Due to 1,172 positive patients recovered and 24 deaths, there are 472 active cases, including 16 persons hospitalized.

Since Tuesday, October 20, 16 new positive cases were reported in Carroll County, upping its total to 220. With five deaths and 181 positive patients recovered, there are 34 active cases, including four persons hospitalized.

Five new positive cases were reported in Saline County since Thursday, raising its total to 987. Eleven recoveries were reported on Friday, increasing that total to 902. With 14 deaths and the 902 recoveries, the active case count is 71, including six persons hospitalized.

In Howard County, five new positive cases were confirmed on Friday, increasing its total to 406. With 369 positive patients recovered and one death, there are 36 active cases.

One new positive case was reported in Chariton County on Friday. That makes the total 91 since the beginning of the pandemic. Five of the active cases were released from public health isolation as recovered, raising that total to 84, leaving seven cases active.

No update was available from Cooper County.