Health Department reports 12th COVID-19 death

The Springfield-Greene County Health Department yesterday announced the community’s 12th COVID-19 death.

The individual was a man in his 80s who had underlying health conditions, according to a news release.

It's the first local death from the virus announced in August, following three fatal cases in July.

Health Department data show there were 57 people hospitalized yesterday between CoxHealth and Mercy Hospital Springfield with the virus.

The Health Department also yesterday unveiled an upgraded COVID-19 dashboard designed to provide easier navigation and more data for residents, according to a separate news release.

New additions include percent changes in cases in the past seven days, as well as the local hospitalization data. The latest data show an 11% increase in active cases in the past seven days.

The Health Department also plans to add the testing positivity rate in the near future, according to the release.