FRIDAY UPDATES: Missouri health department reports 4,700+ new COVID-19 cases on New Year’s Day

The Missouri state health department reported more than 4,700 new COVID-19 cases on New Year's Day -- the largest daily case increase this week.

Health officials said total COVID-19 cases since the pandemic were up to 397,299 on Friday -- 4,729 more since Thursday's dashboard update.

The health department included 21 more virus-related deaths were added to the dashboard bringing the pandemic total up to 5,540 fatalities.

Missouri's seven-day COVID-19 positivity rate was reported at 18.5%, according to the latest data available. Health officials revised Thursday's rate down to 18.1% -- 4-tenths lower than where it was originally reported.

Virus-related hospitalizations and ICU admissions both increased slightly on Friday. State officials said coronavirus hospitalizations went up two since Thursday's dashboard update -- the total was reported at 2,779. The same data said virus-related ICU stays were up to 648 -- eight more than the day before.

Missouri ranked 20th in the nation for new COVID-19 cases and deaths over the last week. The state reported 15,170 new cases and 68 deaths over the time period.