The number of persons hospitalized due to COVID-19 increased on Tuesday, September 14, in Lafayette County.

According to the Lafayette County Health Department, the number of persons hospitalized increased by two to 17.

The good news is, the active case count fell eight more rungs from 68 the day before to 60.

In all, there were nine more positive cases, increasing the county’s total to 3,403 since the beginning of the pandemic.

The county’s positivity rate as of September 9 was 12.66 percent, according to the CDC COVID Data Tracker.

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/cough etiquette.”

They also said, “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 the health department’s website at lafayettecountyhealth.org.