More than a dozen COVID-19-related deaths were added in Pettis County on Tuesday, January 5, raising the county’s total to 66 since the beginning of the pandemic.

Pettis County Health Center officials say, “It is important to note that these deaths did not all happen at the same time. We just recently received confirmation from the state regarding them. We only update death numbers when official confirmation of cause of death is received.”

The total positive case count in Pettis County grew by 140 from 4,186 on December 31 to 4,326 on Tuesday. With 66 deaths and 3,844 previously positive patients released from public health isolation as recovered, there are 416 active cases, including 10 positive patients hospitalized.

Lafayette County reported 250 new positive cases in the county since its last update on December 17. Health-department officials say a more detailed report will be given on Thursday, January 7.

In Saline County, one more death was reported, increasing the county’s total to 46. The total positive cases increased by 24 to 2,306. With 46 deaths and 2,124 cases deemed inactive, there are 136 active cases in the county.

Ten new positive cases raise the total to 702 in Chariton County. Due to 15 deaths and 605 recoveries, there are 82 active cases in the county.

Updates were not available from Carroll, Cooper and Howard Counties.