The number of active cases of COVID-19 has dipped slightly in Lafayette County.

According to the Lafayette County Health Department, the active case count was down from 90 on Thursday, September 2, to 88 on Friday, September 3.

The county’s death toll due to the virus remained at 65 since the beginning of the pandemic. However, the number of persons hospitalized due to the virus increased from 12 to 14.

The health department has confirmed 12 more positive cases for a total of 3,329 total cases of COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic.

As of August 31, the county’s positivity rate was 10.81 percent, down from 14.37 percent on August 25, according to the CDC COVID Data Tracker.

Per the CDC, 43 percent of people in Lafayette County have initiated their first dose of the vaccine series; and 37.5 percent of Lafayette County residents have been fully vaccinated, meaning they are two weeks post their second shot of either Pfizer or Moderna or two weeks post their Johnson & Johnson shot.

Health officials say it is urgent that everyone use several layers of protection: Social distancing, mask wearing in public, avoiding unnecessary gatherings and exposures, proper hand hygiene and sneeze and cough etiquette.

Health officials also say, “We appreciate the millions of Missourians who are stepping up to protect themselves and others. Getting vaccinated is how we end this pandemic and move forward from this crisis.”

For more information, visit lafayettecountyhealth.org.