The Jefferson County Health Department reported 16 new COVID-19-related deaths in its latest weekly update released today, March 16.
Despite those additional deaths, new coronavirus cases continue to sharply decline, and the county is now in the green level on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) three-color COVID-19 warning system. The green level indicates low transmission of the virus, the Health Department reported.
With the latest 16 COVID-19-related deaths, the county has seen a total of 527 residents who have died because of the virus since the start of the pandemic, according to the Health Department.
The latest deaths included a woman in her 40s, a woman in her 50s, a man in his 50s, a woman in her 60s, four men in their 60s, five men in their 70s, a woman in her 80, and two men in their 80s.
During the week of March 6 to March 12, the county had 55 new COVID-19 cases, down from the previous week when there were 97 new cases.
Of the most recent new cases, 61.8 percent was among unvaccinated people, 21.8 percent was among those with two vaccinations, and 16.4 percent was among people who had two vaccinations and a booster dose, the Health Department reported.
As of today, the county had seen a total of 52,948 coronavirus cases since the first ones were reported in March 2020, according to the Health Department.
Flu
The Health Department reported 17 additional flu cases in the March 16 report.
So far this flu season, the county has had a total of 1,097 flu cases, the Health Department reported.
Two people have died from the flu since the start of the flu season, which runs from Oct. 3 through May 21.
Vaccines
Health officials urge residents to get vaccinated against the flu and COVID-19 and to stay up-to-date on those vaccines.
The Health Department also recommends people follow CDC recommendations for isolation and quarantine, including getting tested, if they are exposed to COVID-19 or have COVID-19 symptoms. Those who are immunocompromised or high risk for severe disease are advised to have a plan for rapid testing and to talk to their healthcare provider about the need to take other steps to limit the spread of the diseases, including frequent hand-washing, wearing masks and social distancing.
As of today, 50.41 percent of Jefferson County residents had received two vaccinations against COVID-19, which was up slightly from the previous week when 50.24 percent had them, the Health Department reported.
The agency also reported that 20 percent of county residents had received their booster vaccines, according to the Health Department.
People may sign up for a vaccine appointment through the Health Department by going to the state vaccine Navigator website at covidvaccine.mo.gov/navigator. Or they may call 877-435-8411. Or, to find another local vaccine site, visit vaccinefinder.org.
