Over the past two weeks, the Jefferson County Health Department has reported four additional COVID-19-related deaths and two flu-related deaths.
The COVID-19-related deaths reported during the week of Dec. 25-31, were a man in his 60s and a man in his 70s. The flu-related death reported that week was a man in his 90s.
During the week of Jan. 1-7, the Health Department reported a COVID-19-related death for a woman in her 50s and a woman in her 70s. The flu-related death reported that week was a woman in her 60s.
The county has seen a total of 23 COVID-19-related deaths this respiratory season, which runs from October into May, and 592 COVID-19-related deaths since the start of the pandemic, according to the Health Department.
There have been four flu deaths so far this respiratory season, the Health Department reported.
Jefferson County currently is in the yellow, or medium, level on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) three-color COVID-19 warning system.
During the week of Jan. 1-7, the Health Department reported 233 new COVID-19 cases for a total of 3,830 this respiratory season.
Brianne Zwiener, Jefferson County Health Department public information officer, said those numbers might be low.
“We have noticed that COVID weekly case numbers have remained relatively the same in the last several weeks, especially in light of the holiday season,” she said. “While we can’t say for certain why case numbers are lower, we know that at-home testing options might have an impact on low reporting numbers. We have also had vaccination and boosters available for a while now, which can be playing a preventative role as well.”
Zwiener recommends anyone who is considered high risk for serious illness from the virus wear a mask in public places.
She also said people should wear masks in public if they frequently are around those who are high risk.
Health officials strongly encourage people to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Anyone 6 months and older is eligible for vaccines.
Zwiener said people may go to vaccines.gov for information about where vaccine appointments are available.
Flu
A total of 3,350 cases have been reported since the flu season began in October, with 191 cases reported from Dec. 25-31, and 89 additional cases reported Jan. 1-7, according to the Health Department. T
Of those cases, 3,241 have been type A flu and 109 type B flu.
Health officials strongly encourage people to get vaccinated against the flu.
Appointments for flu vaccines at the Health Department may be scheduled by calling 636-797-3737.
