The Springfield-Greene County Health Department reports a continued drop in the number of new cases of COVID-19.

Health director Katie Towns says in the last week, there’s been a 25-percent drop in the 7-day average of new cases per day.

Local hospitals are reporting cases are dropping, too.

Covid+ inpatient census down to 112, from 200 about three weeks ago. 7 day symptomatic positivity 15.93%, yesterday 10.38%. 44 positive test results yesterday, compared to a single day high of 896 about a month ago.

Encouraging news, but not out of the woods. pic.twitter.com/ZXdOD8HDRB

— Steve Edwards (@SDECoxHealth) February 17, 2022

We’re caring for an additional 6 patients in our regional hospitals. https://t.co/40yhDj5Ied

— Mercy Springfield (@MercySGF) February 17, 2022

But COVID-related deaths in Greene County continue.

Health officials say 50 people died in January.

So far, 24 people have died in February.

More than 46-percent of the eligible population is unvaccinated.

Towns says the health department will continue to focus on vaccinations.

She says the library and Springfield Public Schools have agreed to continue hosting vaccination clinics.