The Jefferson County Health Department reported 41 new COVID-19 cases today (Feb. 11), for a total of 21,158 cases since the first ones were reported in March.
Of the county’s total coronavirus cases, 1,331 have been at long-term care facilities, which includes residents and staff members who live in Jefferson County, the Health Department reported.
Of the county’s 182 COVID-19 deaths, 70 have been from long-term care facilities.
The county is in the orange status on the Health Department’s COVID-19 warning system, the second highest level on the four-color system. The orange status indicates widespread but controlled transmission of the coronavirus.
Health Department officials changed the status to orange Tuesday (Feb. 9), after the county’s recent decline in new positive COVID-19 cases.
Despite the lower case numbers over the past couple of weeks, the Health Department still urges residents to take steps to prevent the spread of the virus, including limiting nonessential travel; avoiding crowds; wearing masks; practicing social distancing and frequent hand-washing; and staying home when you are sick.
Vaccines
Today, the Health Department announced a vaccine clinic would be held on Feb. 16, and appointments for the vaccine were filled in about two minutes after an online sign-up form was emailed to eligible people who had registered for the vaccine through the Health Department.
She said the Health Department plans to vaccinate 280 people during the Feb. 16 clinic.
Zwiener said the Health Department received 300 Moderna doses from the state and 280 will be used at the clinic and 20 will be administered at a different local agency.
The Health Department gives all vaccines by appointment only and will contact people who have registered for the vaccine and who are eligible to receive it under the state’s distribution plan to set up the appointments.
As of today, more than 45,000 people had signed up for vaccines through the Health Department, the agency reported.
To register for a vaccine through the Health Department, go to https://hipaa.jotform.com/210126757688060. People without internet access may call the registration line at 636-789-8941.
Comtrea, which offers health care services around the county, will hold more COVID-19 vaccine clinics Feb. 17, 18 and 19.
Like the Health Department, Comtrea gives vaccinations by appointment only, and the agency will contact eligible people who have registered and are eligible to receive the vaccine to make appointments.
To register with Comtrea, visit comtrea.org/vaccine-inquiry.
As of Wednesday (Feb. 10), 17,000 people had registered for the vaccine through Comtrea.
According to the state’s COVID-19 vaccine dashboard, an estimated 5.3 percent of Jefferson County residents have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and a total of 16,818 doses have been administered, including both first and second doses, to county residents. Jefferson County has a population of about 225,000 people.
Only those who are included in Phase 1A, Phase 1B-Tier 1 and Phase 1B-Tier 2 of the state’s vaccine distribution plan may receive the Health Department vaccines at this time.
Mercy also has created an online sign-up method to help distribute vaccines to those eligible under the state’s vaccination plan. To sign up with Mercy, go to mercy.net/MOVaccine.
Other hospital systems and pharmacies also are registering people for the vaccines.
