Three more COVID-19-related deaths were reported in area counties on Tuesday, December 15.

According to health-department officials, two deaths increase the total to 42 in Pettis County since the beginning of the pandemic. Forty new positive cases were reported, increasing the county’s total to 3,798. Due to 2,936 recoveries and 42 deaths, there are 820 active cases in the county, including 24 positive patients hospitalized.

One more death raises the total to 14 in Carroll County. The county’s positive case count grew by 26 since Friday, December 11, to 726. With 636 recoveries and 14 deaths, there are 76 active cases in the county.

According to the Saline County Health Department’s Dashboard, 12 new positive cases were added since the previous report, raising the county’s total to 1,998. With 1,862 recoveries and 40 deaths, there are 96 active cases in the county.

In Chariton County, three new positive cases were reported, increasing the county’s total to 554. With seven recoveries, upping that total to 478, and three deaths, 62 cases remain active.

On Monday, December 14, 11 new positive cases were added in Howard County, raising the total to 862. With 796 recoveries and three deaths, there are 63 active cases, including eight positive patients hospitalized.

Updates were not available from Cooper and Lafayette Counties.