photo by: Lauren Fox

Brothers Michael Bruner, right, and Joe Tressler, left, are pictured in the observation area after receiving their second COVID-19 vaccine dose on April 28.

Sixty-one new cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Douglas County in the past two days, according to information from Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health.

The cumulative case count for the county now stands at 9,642, with 193 cases currently active.

On Friday, six in-patients were being treated for the virus at LMH Health, which is three more than on Wednesday.

Douglas County’s 14-day moving average of new COVID-19 cases per day has increased by 10 in the past two weeks, marking the steepest increase since January.

Health officials are urging all eligible people — that’s everyone 12 and older — to get the vaccine, especially in light of the more contagious delta variant that’s on the rise throughout the country.

“The trajectory does not look good right now for a potential wave that could push through before the new school year begins,” said Local Health Officer Dr. Thomas Marcellino. “Now is definitely the time to take extra precautions to protect our community, especially getting vaccinated if you haven’t and wearing a mask in public if you are currently unvaccinated.”

According to LDCPH, 58,209 Douglas County residents, or 55% of those eligible, have been fully vaccinated, and 65,213 residents, or 62%, have received at least one dose of the vaccine, as of Wednesday.

People who are unvaccinated but eligible account for 64% of recent COVID cases so far in July.

Anyone interested in booking a vaccine appointment or learning more about incentives for getting vaccinated can visit LDCHealth.org/COVIDVaccine.