During Friday’s Board of Mayor and Alderman meeting, Mayor George Flaggs Jr. announced Warren County had four new confirmed cases of the COVID-19 virus overnight, bringing the number of confirmed cases since the start of the pandemic to 94.

Flaggs also said the state will report later Friday that 404 new cases have been confirmed, which would be the largest one-day increase since tracking began. The state is not expected to release the official numbers until later in the day, but state officials do provide numbers to government leaders ahead of the public release.

“That’s 404 new cases. Just today,” Flaggs said addressing criticism the city has received in not opening more sectors of the local economy. “And you want us to take a chance rushing to open this city back up, this state back up. We are trying to protect you and your family.”

Unofficially, the 404 cases would bring the state’s cumulative total to 9,090. Flaggs also said the state will later report the number of virus-related deaths increased to 409.

“If those numbers don’t shock you, what will,” North Ward Alderman Michael Mayfield said during the meeting. “Protect yourselves. Protect your family.”

The number of virus-related deaths in Warren County remains at two.

During the meeting, Flaggs also said the city is moving forward with developing plans to cut the city’s workforce in light of sales tax collections which are expected to plummet when they are reported.

We will continue to update this report as the meeting continues.