TOPEKA — More people are being hospitalized with COVID-19 in Kansas as the number of cases and deaths continues to climb, the latest statistics released Monday show.

Kansas health officials reported having an average of 26.29 new coronavirus hospitalizations per day for the seven days ending Monday, a new record for the pandemic. The previous high was 23.86 for the seven days ending Friday.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment also reported that the state saw 1,597 new confirmed and probable cases since Friday, an increase of 2.5%, bringing the total cases to 62,708.

The number of coronavirus cases is thought to be higher because people can be infected without feeling ill and because of limited testing early in the pandemic.

For most people, the COVID-19 causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough, that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness and death.

The state health department also reported eight new COVID-19-related deaths since Friday, bringing the total to 706.