The Jefferson County Health Department has reported nine additional COVID-19-related deaths.
Those deaths were reported during the week of Jan. 8-14 and included four men in their 60s, a man in his 70s, a woman in her 70s, a woman in her 80s, a woman in her 90s and a woman in her 100s.
The county has seen a total of 32 COVID-19-related deaths this respiratory season, which runs from October into May, and 601 COVID-19-related deaths since the start of the pandemic, according to the Health Department.
Jefferson County 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. 8-14, the Health Department reported 171 new COVID-19 cases for a total of 4,001 this respiratory season.
Brianne Zwiener, Jefferson County Health Department public information officer, said those numbers might be low because those who test positive for the virus at home don’t necessarily report their cases.
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 3,506 flu cases have been reported since the flu season began in October, with 56 new cases reported from Jan. 8-14, according to the Health Department.
Of the total number of cases this season, which ends in May, 3,294 have been type A flu and 112 type B flu.
There have been four flu deaths so far this respiratory season, the Health Department reported.
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.
