The Ellis County Health Department reported Wednesday a decrease in the average number of new coronavirus cases per day in the last seven days — from 14 on Monday to 12 on Wednesday.
The department also announced the eighth and ninth coronavirus-related deaths.
On Friday, the Hays City Commission voted to extend the ordinance requiring face coverings until the seven-day new case average was five or fewer for 14 straight days.
RELATED: Hays commissioners vote to extend mask ordinance
There were 23 new cases of COVID-19 identified in the county since Monday. There are currently 128 active cases, including 10 active hospitalizations, and 1,004 recovered cases.
The seven-day average of percent of positive tests fell slightly to 18.6 percent. Of the 8,860 tests administered, 12.3 percent have returned positive for coronavirus.
Since reporting began, there have been 1,141 cases of COVID-19 reported in Ellis County, including nine deaths.
NOTE: "New cases" reflects cases reported by the Ellis County Health Department between regular reporting periods of Monday, Wednesday and Friday. "Total cases" reflects all cases reported by the department. Because of delayed test results, total cases might include cases prior to the previous reporting period, so the figures might not necessarily correspond.
