December 15, 2022 3:40 a.m.

Local COVID-19 cases have dropped about 45 percent in the past week.

An update from the Douglas Public Health Network said 76 cases of the virus have been reported in the seven days ending on Wednesday. That is down from 140 cases reported in the prior week.

DPHN Public Information Officer Vanessa Becker said 5 COVID-19 related deaths were reported in the last week. Becker said they ranged in age from 64 to 90. A daily average of between 10-13 people have been hospitalized related to the virus this past week. Becker said 11 people were hospitalized related to COVID-19 on Wednesday.

Since the pandemic began in January 2020, 445 people have died related to COVID-19. 25,347 cases of the virus have been reported.

Go to www.douglaspublichealthnetwork.org for more local information on COVID-19.