photo by: Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health

Data released by Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health on Monday indicated that 230 new COVID-19 cases were reported in the county since the last count Friday — a notable decline compared with recent new-case numbers.

However, LMH Health cautioned that the actual number could be higher, given the number of over-the-counter tests and ongoing challenges with access to testing.

The total cumulative case count since March of 2020 is now 23,339, with 5,232 of those being currently active.

Douglas County has officially added more COVID-19 cases during the first month of 2022 than during the entirety of 2021 — 8,486 cases in January versus 8,371 last year.

Meanwhile, the county’s daily case count, based on a 14-day moving average, continues to decline from a high of 339.36 recorded in January; on Monday it was at 226.5.

At a town hall Monday for health care providers, Dr. Jennifer Schrimsher, Douglas County’s deputy health officer and an infectious disease physician, noted that recent statewide COVID-19 case counts had fallen from about 7,000 to 3,000, but there were approximately 1,300 new cases reported between Wednesday and Friday of last week.

LMH currently has 24 COVID inpatients. LMH Health’s update breaks that number down to 17 inpatients with active symptoms and seven who are recovering.

“The hospital continues to be quite full, in part because recovery for patients who have had COVID continues to be quite long,” a news release from the hospital said. “Vaccines — and especially boosters — continue to make a difference.”

Local health officials continue to encourage community members to follow updated Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance, and also urge them to get vaccinated. The health department administers vaccinations and booster doses at the clinic on the first floor of the Community Health Building, 200 Maine St., for adults and for eligible children.

To register for an appointment, visit ldchealth.org/getmyvaccine. Those interested in an appointment can also call 785-843-0721 for help with registering, or with additional questions. Shots are also widely available at various pharmacies and doctor’s offices.