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February already has seen the second-highest number of COVID-19 cases reported in a month since the pandemic, but there is a silver lining.

In the latest statistics the Clark County Health Department shared Friday, 1,061 cases have been detected this month, joining last month and last September as the only months to top the 1,000 mark of positive cases since the pandemic began in March 2020.

Still, the numbers are down significantly from the over 3,000 cases confirmed in January. This week alone, the health department reported 163 cases, down considerably from the 500 reported the week before.

The numbers encouraged Public Health Director Becky Kissick, but she also advised the public to keep up with preventative measures.

“I am very encouraged by the drop in confirmed cases this week. I am hopeful this is a trajectory we will continue to see through the end of the month,” she said. “I encourage individuals to remain vigilant, however, as we continue to monitor steady hospital utilization numbers. Vaccination remains the best protection against severe illness and hospitalization.