(KAIR)--Confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 continue to increase in several local area counties, as the State of Kansas reports more than 8,500 cases statewide.

The Jackson County Health Department Thursday reported three additional cases, bringing the county's total to 36.  The latest statistics show one of the Jackson County cases is hospitalized, while seven have recovered and are no longer in isolation.

Atchison County this week has seen a three case increase, with Atchison County Emergency Management Director Wes Lanter on Thursday confirming the County’s 18th case. The person is identified as a woman in her fifties who is hospitalized.

On Wednesday, Lanter confirmed the County’s 16th and 17th cases, both men, one in his fifties, the other in his forties, who are isolating at home. The latest statistics show that 12 of Atchison County’s cases have recovered, meaning they’ve been released from isolation.

Last week, one of the then 11 recovered cases was re-tested after showing a return of virus symptoms, and the results were positive.

Nemaha County Community Health Services on Wednesday reported three additional cases, bringing the county's total to 8.  One is hospitalized, while one has recovered and is no longer in isolation.

The Brown County Health Department Wednesday reported one additional case,  bringing the county’s total to 6. One of the cases has recovered and is no longer isolating.

The Doniphan County Health Department Wednesday reported one additional case, bringing the county's total to 10.  8 of the cases have recovered and are no longer in isolation.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment Wednesday reported 8,539 cases in 84 of the state’s 105 counties.

Kansas has incurred 178 virus-related deaths.