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ST. LOUIS — The COVID-19 death toll in Missouri has surpassed 10,000, according to data reported Thursday by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.

The number as the more infectious delta variant of the coronavirus continues to cause a surge in cases and hospitalizations across the state, largely among the unvaccinated.

“We are saddened to have lost so many Missourians over the last 18 months to COVID-19,� Republican Gov. Mike Parson said in a statement. “We have a way out of this global pandemic. This milestone underscores the importance of vaccination and personal responsibility across the state.�

The state’s acting health director, Robert Knodell, agreed. “Help us honor the loss we’ve experienced by protecting yourself and your family from this virus,� he said in a statement.

COVID-19 has become one of the leading causes of death in the Show-Me State. shows most Missouri residents died of heart disease that year — 14,888. Next was cancer with 13,038. Chronic lung disease and unintentional injuries tied for third with about 3,975 deaths.

After months of dropping from winter peaks, cases of coronavirus across the state began climbing in June; July has already shown a large increase in the number of deaths despite many COVID-19 deaths often reported several weeks after they occur.

Over five weeks, beginning on June 27, the state reported 463 deaths, data shows.

That’s more than double the number seen in ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ over the prior five weeks, when 220 deaths were reported. The prior five-week period saw 207.

St. Louis County, Missouri’s biggest county by population, has recorded the highest number of deaths, with 1,960, according to state health officials. Kansas City has had 646 COVID-19 deaths, Greene County, 570, Jackson County, 517, St. Charles County, 488, the city of St. Louis, 487, and Jefferson County, 264.

But, as a percentage of population, COVID-19 has taken a bigger toll in the state’s rural counties. Grundy, Livingston and Phelps counties, which currently have the highest COVID-19 death rates in the state, are among 33 mostly rural counties that have suffered larger losses of life due to the coronavirus than St. Louis County. Missouri has 114 counties in addition to the city of St. Louis.

Missouri reported 3,580 new cases on Thursday. That number includes both confirmed (PCR) and probable (antigen) tests. On Wednesday, 4,213 new cases were reported — the third time since July 31 the state surpassed the 4,000 mark.

The seven-day average of new cases is 2,757, which is down slightly from 3,032 a week ago, but still at levels not seen since mid-January.

Hospitalizations rose by 68 to 2,268. Intensive care unit space in Missouri hospitals is at 17% — and 14% in the St. Louis area.

Some national COVID-19 tracking sites, which gather data directly from local city and county health departments, reported nearly a month ago that Missouri surpassed the 10,000 death toll.

On Thursday, The a COVID-19 death toll of 10,462 in Missouri, while the the number was 10,429.

Missouri’s health department, however, does not report COVID-19 deaths until officials analyze local death certificates.

With the start of the school year approaching, districts across the state are determining how to handle the virus. In Kansas City, the public school system will require all staff members to either get vaccinated or agree to weekly testing.

Officials said during a school board meeting Wednesday that they believe Kansas City is the first district in Missouri to issue such a requirement, .

The Missouri State Fair opened Thursday and despite the expected large crowds, masks are not required. The fair, which runs through Aug. 22 in Sedalia, will have masks available for attendees.

The St. Louis Metropolitan Pandemic Task Force did not release data on Thursday because one of the local hospital systems was undergoing a computer upgrade.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.