<div><iframe title="ECHS COVID-19 Weekly Update: Dec. 18, 2020" height="122" width="100%" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/my5v3-f56303?from=pb6admin&download=1&version=1&auto=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Helvetica&skin=3&pfauth=&btn-skin=101"></iframe></div>Editor's note: Podcast previously published Thursday.<figure>
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 </figure>The Ellis County Health Department on Monday reported the average number of new coronavirus cases per day in the last seven days rose slightly from nine on Wednesday to 10 on Monday.The department also announced four additional coronavirus-related deaths, bringing the total to 38.Since there was no report on Christmas Day, the most recent case update was Wednesday.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/68168042-00c8-4c1b-8817-4b26e7c7f51d">RELATED:&nbsp;Who gets vaccinated in Kansas and when</a>There were 51 new cases of COVID-19 identified in Ellis County since Wednesday. There are currently 249 active cases, including six active hospitalizations of Ellis County residents, and 2,896 recovered cases.As of Monday, there were 27 COVID-19 inpatients at HaysMed, up from 23 prior to Christmas, with 21 of those active patients, three on ventilators and six in the recovery phase.The seven-day average of percent of positive tests stayed relatively flat at 19.9 percent.Since reporting began, there have been 3,183 cases of coronavirus identified in Ellis County, including 38 virus-related deaths.&nbsp;Of the total 16,944 tests administered, 17.6 percent have returned positive for COVID-19.NOTE:&nbsp;"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.<figure>
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🎙 Per-day virus rate in Ellis Co. rises; four additional deaths reported