photo by: Ashley Golledge

Mary Chapman, from left, Jolene Bechtel and Jeannie McClure volunteer at Douglas County's COVID-19 vaccine clinic at the Douglas County Fairgrounds on Wednesday, March 31, 2021.

Sixty new cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Douglas County since Monday, according to information Wednesday from Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health.

With COVID-19 cases again on the rise, LDCPH has encouraged residents to follow updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that recommends everyone 2 and older, even those fully vaccinated, wear masks in indoor public spaces.

The Lawrence school district also announced on Tuesday afternoon that it would be mandating masks for those 2 and older in all of its buildings, effective immediately.

The cumulative case count for the county now stands at 9,745, with 286 cases currently active.

On Wednesday, eight in-patients were being treated for the virus at LMH Health, which is one fewer than on Monday.

Douglas County’s 14-day moving average of new cases per day in July has climbed to over 15 — the highest rate since February — after several weeks at one to two new cases per day.

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.

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