SATURDAY UPDATES: State health department reports massive jump in cases

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

UPDATE 6:10 P.M.: The Chariton County Health Center reported 10 new COVID-19 cases Saturday.

There have been 326 cases of the virus in Chariton County.

There were 140 active cases on Saturday.

UPDATE 2:10 P.M.: The Miller County Health Center has seen a huge jump in the number of COVID-19 cases reported with more than 700 new cases reported in the past two weeks.

There were 174 active cases of the virus in the county.

There have been 1,369 total cases in the county.

A majority of the cases reported have been in the 40-64 age range.

In Miller County, 18 people were hospitalized on Saturday. There have been 89 hospitalizations total.

There have been 35 deaths related to the virus.

ORIGINAL: The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services reported a massive jump in COVID-19 cases on Saturday.

According to the state health department's COVID-19 dashboard, Missouri's total case count jumped 6,346 within the last 24 hours.

In total, 235,722 Missourians have tested positive the virus since the start of the pandemic. On Friday, the total number of cases reported was 229,376 cases.

 “We believe we will be able to start vaccinating our healthcare workers and long-term care facility staff as early as next month, and thus help protect them as they take care of our most vulnerable citizens. In the meantime, you can help them, help yourself and help your loved ones by continuing to physically distance, wear masks, use hand sanitizer and avoid congregating indoors when possible, even during the holidays," said Dr. Randall Williams, Director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services in a statement.