The Jefferson County Health Department reported 61 new COVID-19 cases today (Feb. 5), for a total of 20,918 cases since the first ones were reported in March.
Of the county’s total coronavirus cases, 1,322 have been at long-term care facilities, which includes residents and staff members who live in Jefferson County.
Of the county’s 180 total COVID-19 deaths, 69 have been from long-term care facilities, the Health Department reported.
The county has an estimated 670 active cases, according to the Health Department.
Brianne Zwiener, communications specialist with the Health Department, said the agency doesn’t follow up with all cases anymore, and the number of active cases is meant to give the public a “general estimate.”
The county remains at the red level on the Health Department’s COVID-19 warning system for the 14th consecutive week.
Red is the highest level on the Health Department’s four-color system and indicates widespread and uncontrolled transmission of the virus.
Health Department officials urge residents to continue taking steps to prevent the spread of the virus, like wearing masks; limiting nonessential travel; avoiding crowds; practicing social distancing and frequent hand-washing; and staying home if you are sick.
Vaccines
The Jefferson County Health Department received 500 Moderna COVID-19 vaccines from the state this week, which was its first shipment of vaccines from the state.
The Health Department previously got 300 vaccines from Comtrea, and on Tuesday (Feb. 2) used some to vaccinate staff members. The Health Department planned to administer the remaining 250 vaccines to community members on Wednesday (Feb. 3) and Thursday (Feb. 4)
The Health Department has scheduled two more community vaccine clinics on Monday (Feb. 8) and Tuesday (Feb. 9). The vaccinations will be given by appointment only, and the Health Department 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 Monday (Feb. 1), more than 32,000 people had signed up for vaccines through the Health Department, the agency reported.
“Each day the list of residents who wish to receive the vaccine grows larger,” Health Department Director Kelley Vollmar said. “We will continue to advocate for direct shipments from the State each week in order to open registration to more individuals.”
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.
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.
Phase 1A includes patient-facing health care workers and long-term care facility staff and residents, according to the Health Department.
Phase is 1B-Tier 1 includes essential workers in emergency services and the public health infrastructure.
Phase 1B-Tier 2 includes people 65 and older, as well as high-risk people between 18 and 64, including those with cancer, chronic kidney disease, COPD, heart conditions, weakened immune systems due to organ transplant, severe obesity (BMI >40), pregnancy, sickle cell disease, Type 2 diabetes mellitus, or intellectual and/or developmental disabilities such as Down syndrome.
Next will be Phase 1B-Tier 3, which includes essential workers in education, childcare, communications, information technology, transportation, government, food production and agriculture, energy, water and wastewater treatment and other fields.
Phase 2 includes populations at increased risk, like prisoners and homeless people. The last phase, which is Phase 3, includes all Missouri residents.
Comtrea, which offers health care services around the county, was expected to distribute 350 vaccinations at a community vaccination clinic today, and the agency is scheduled to administer another 500 over a two-day clinic on Wednesday (Feb. 17) and Thursday (Feb. 18).
Like the Health Department, Comtrea vaccinations will be given by appointment only, and the agencies will contact eligible people who have registered for the vaccine to set up the appointments.
As of Monday, 13,874 people had signed up for vaccines through Comtrea, the agencies reported.
To register with Comtrea, visit comtrea.org/vaccine-inquiry.
Mercy also has created an online sign-up method to help distribute vaccines to those eligible under the state’s vaccination plan. Anyone seeking the vaccine may visit mercy.net/MOVaccine to see if they are eligible under the current phase and register to receive a vaccine.
Other hospital systems and pharmacies also are registering people for the vaccines.
