The number of cases of the COVID-19 virus in Allegan County has been confirmed at 197 as of Friday afternoon and the number of reported deaths has risen to six.

The death toll had been only two as of earlier this week.

The Allegan County Health Department urges all citizens to act as though they have the disease and treat others as having it as well. Department officials also recommend people practice safe distancing, wearing a mask when in public and routinely washing hands.