photo by: Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health

New cases of COVID-19 in Douglas County have increased by 125 since Wednesday, according to information Friday from Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health.

The cumulative case count for the county now stands at 11,301, with 838 cases currently active. Ninety-two people have died of COVID-19 in the county since the pandemic began last year.

On Friday, 16 inpatients were being treated for the virus at LMH Health.

The moving 14-day average daily case count stood at 39.36 Friday.

Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health leaders have said they would start advocating for a countywide mask mandate if more than 50 new cases per day were being added in the community, using the 14-day moving average. The health department has also said it would begin recommending a countywide mask mandate if the number of active cases in the community topped 1,000.

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.

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. On Aug. 18, Douglas County leaders approved a health order requiring, with some exceptions, that children who are not yet eligible for vaccination wear a mask while indoors.

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