The Jefferson County Health Department reported 565 new COVID-19 cases since its last report on Dec. 31, bringing the total number of cases in the county to 17,360 since the first ones were reported in March.
Of those, 213 cases were from Dec. 31, another 65 were from Jan. 1, an additional 69 were from Jan. 2 and 218 were from Sunday (Jan. 3).
The county has an estimated 5,426 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, 1,141 have been at long-term care facilities, which includes residents and staff members who live in Jefferson County.
Of the 133 COVID-19 deaths in the county, 61 have been from long-term care facilities, the Health Department reported.
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 Health Department also stresses the importance of limiting nonessential travel, avoiding crowds, social distancing, good hand-washing and staying home if you are sick.
Health Department board meetings
Health Department Board of Trustees chairperson Dennis Diehl reported today (Jan. 4) that due to an anticipated spike in COVID-19 cases after the holiday season, the next regular board meeting will be held virtually.
That meeting is scheduled for 3 p.m. Thursday (Jan. 28), but he expects the trustees will meet before or on Jan. 21 because the county’s current mask order expires at 5 p.m. that day, so the board will need to discuss that.
COVID-19 testing
Comtrea, which provides health care services around the county, will offer free drive-thru COVID-19 testing events on the remaining Fridays in January.
The events will be from 9 a.m. to noon on Jan. 8, Jan. 15, Jan. 22 and Jan. 29 at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds, 10349 Business 21, where the Hillsboro Community Civic Club is houses.
Nathanael Herbert, marketing communications manager for Comtrea, said the event is free to all Missouri residents.
He said pre-registration is highly encouraged because it makes the testing faster.
Herbert also said the cost of the testing is covered by CARES Act funding.
Anyone interested in being tested may sign up at comtrea.org/covid-19-info.
