Just under 70 patients are being treated for COVID-19 at Cox South Hospital in Springfield, down from more than 80 earlier this week.

President and CEO Steve Edwards says in comparison, the largest hospital in Missouri, BarnesJewish in St. Louis, has just over 30 patients being treated for the coronavirus.

Edwards says the number of cases coming from Greene County is settling a bit now that the college influx has moved into older, more vulnerable populations.

He says rural areas generally are having higher prevalence of COVID-19, but with less population.

CoxHealth data: total Covid inpatients down to 68, from 83 this week. I hope this starts a trend. Greene County might be stabilizing, Taney and Polk County admissions growing. Note admissions by month March-Sept = 8,17,13,24,97,230,331. I believe Oct Covid admits will decrease. pic.twitter.com/69Kif47XV8

— Steve Edwards (@SDECoxHealth) October 1, 2020