The Ellis County Health Department on Wednesday reported the average number of new coronavirus cases per day in the last seven days rose slightly from eight on Monday to nine on Wednesday.
On Oct. 2, 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 44 new cases of COVID-19 identified in the county since Monday. There are currently 98 active cases of coronavirus, including five active hospitalizations, and 1,300 recovered cases.
The seven-day average of percent of positive tests jumped from 15.2 percent on Monday to 20.4 percent on Friday.
Since reporting began, there have been 1,416 total cases of COVID-19 reported in Ellis County, including 18 deaths.
Of the 10,334 total tests administered, 12.8 percent have returned positive for coronavirus.
In Norton County, where there have been clusters reported at the Norton Correctional Facility and Andbe Home long-term care facility, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment reported cases rose from 475 on Monday to 571 on Wednesday.
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.