12 new COVID cases Friday shatter 3-day-old record

Marion County’s record for the largest single-day increase in COVID-19 cases lasted only three days. It was eclipsed Friday when 12 new cases, half again the previous record, were reported.

The 12 bring to 147 the county's total number of cases and increase its infection rate to 12.4 per 1,000 people. This week's soaring rate is more than enough to classify the county as a “red zone,” meaning some regions automatically will quarantine anyone who visits Marion County.

Friday’s new cases include four teens — one boy and three girls. County health nurse Diedre Serene said she did not know whether the cases of the four teens were school-related.

One presumably is a Goessel High School student. The school canceled its Friday game because of a positive COVID test. Hillsboro also canceled its Friday game but did not say it was because of COVID.

Friday’s additional cases are a woman in her 20s, two women in their 50s, a man in his 70s, two women in their 70s, a man in his 80s, and a woman in her 90s. All are in isolation.

Although no victims were hospitalized as of Friday, 20 were being treated for COVID.

A woman in her 50s was reported as a COVID victim Wednesday.