The Jefferson County Health Department has reported 10 more COVID-19-related deaths and another flu-related death.
With the latest deaths, the county has seen a total of 416 people die from COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic and two people die from flu since the start of the latest flu season, which runs from Oct. 3 through May 21.
The latest COVID-19 deaths include a man in his 50s, two women in their 60s, two men in their 60s, two women in their 70s, a woman in her 80s, a man in his 80s and a woman in her 90s.
None of those deaths were connected to long-term care facilities, the Health Department reported.
The flu-related death was a woman in her 50s.
During the week of Jan. 16 to Jan. 22, the county had 2,495 new COVID-19 cases, slightly down from the previous week when there were 2,766 new cases.
“This is the second week in a row we have seen a small decrease in weekly cases,” said Sara Wilton, Health Department epidemiologist. “It is important to note that COVID home tests may affect the weekly case count and our percent positivity rate.”
Of the most recent new cases, 63.45 percent was among unvaccinated people, 26.57 percent was among those with two vaccinations, and 9.98 percent was among people who had two vaccinations and a booster dose.
“This data shows the effectiveness of vaccination and booster doses against contracting COVID-19,” Wilton said. “We strongly encourage individuals who are eligible for a booster dose to get that as soon as possible.”
As of today (Jan. 26), the county had seen a total of 48,486 coronavirus cases since the first ones were reported, according to the Health Department.
Red status
For the 27th consecutive week, the county is in the red status on the Health Department’s COVID-19 warning system.
The number of cases per 100,000 people for Jan. 16 to Jan. 22 was 1,108.89, which was down from the previous week when there were 1,229.33 new cases per 100,000 people, the Health Department reported.
The county’s percentage of positive COVID-19 tests for Jan. 16 to Jan. 22 was 36.49 percent, which was down from the previous week when the positivity rate was 37.87 percent, according to the Health Department.
Flu
The Health Department reported 25 new flu cases for the week of Jan. 16 to Jan. 22, which was down from the previous week, Jan. 9 to Jan. 15, when 40 cases were reported.
So far this flu season, the county has had a total of 922 cases, the Health Department reported.
Of the flu cases this season, 93 percent have been Type A and the rest Type B.
Vaccines
Health officials urge residents to get vaccinated against the flu and COVID-19 and to take other steps to limit the spread of the diseases, including frequent hand-washing, wearing masks and social distancing.
As of today, 48.9 percent of Jefferson County residents had received two vaccinations against COVID-19, which was up slightly from the previous week when 48.57 percent had them, the Health Department reported.
The agency also reported that 17.78 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.
