The Jefferson County Health Department reported 298 new COVID-19 cases since its last report on Dec. 23, bringing the total number of cases in the county to 16,214 since the first ones were reported in March.
Of those 298 cases, 105 were from Dec. 24, another 32 were from Dec. 25, an additional 94 were from Dec. 26 and 67 were from Sunday (Dec. 27).
The county has an estimated 5,844 active cases, the Health Department reported.
Brianne Zwiener, communications specialist with the Health Department, said the agency no longer follows up with all COVID-19 patients, so the active case number is an estimate.
Zwiener also said the Health Department typically closes out positive COVID-19 cases after 10 days, although there can be a delay in case closures.
Of the county’s total coronavirus cases, 1,092 have been at long-term care facilities, which includes residents and staff members who live in Jefferson County.
Of the 124 COVID-19 deaths in the county, 59 have been from long-term care facilities, the Health Department reported.
Color status
The county remains at the red level on the Health Department’s COVID-19 warning system.
Red is the highest level on the Health Department’s four-color system and indicates widespread and uncontrolled transmission of the virus.
To control the spread of the virus, health officials urge residents to follow the county’s face mask order, which requires residents to wear face masks while in public spaces when social distancing cannot be maintained.
The county mask order was extended to Jan. 21 at the Health Department Board of Trustees meeting on Dec. 21.
The Health Department also stresses the importance of limiting nonessential travel, avoiding crowds, social distancing, good hand-washing and staying home if you are sick.
