The Jefferson County Health Department reported three new COVID-19-related deaths today (Dec. 9), bringing the total number of deaths in the county to 111 since the start of the pandemic.
The three deaths include a woman in her 50s, a woman in her 60s and a man in his 80s. Two the deaths were from long-term care facilities, the Health Department reported.
Of the total COVID-19 deaths in the county, 58 have been from long-term care facilities.
“As we report additional COVID-19 deaths in our community, our hearts break for their family and friends,” Health Department Director Kelley Vollmar said. “We urge the community to take preventative measures for the safety of themselves and their loved ones this holiday season.”
The Health Department also reported a correction for the number of COVID-19 cases reported Tuesday (Dec. 8), explaining that 103 duplicate cases were mistakenly included in the agency’s report.
The correct number of cases for Tuesday was 238, which included 144 new cases and 94 older cases the state had just recently reported to the Health Department.
In addition, the Health Department reported another 112 COVID-19 cases today, for a total of 13,754 since the first ones were reported in March.
The county currently has 5,102 active cases, the highest number since the pandemic began, the Health Department reported.
As of Tuesday night, a total of 8,514 people had been released from isolation since the start of the pandemic, according to the Health Department.
Of the county’s total coronavirus cases, 987 have been at long-term care facilities, which includes residents and staff members who live in Jefferson County.
Preventive steps
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.
In an effort 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. There are no fines or penalties for violators, though.
The Health Department also stresses the importance of taking additional steps to stem the spread of the virus, including limiting nonessential travel, avoiding crowds, social distancing, good hand-washing and staying home if you are sick.
