The Jefferson County Health Department has reported two more COVID-19-related deaths, bringing the total number of county residents who have died from the virus to 360 since the pandemic began.
Those two deaths include a man in his 50s and a man in his 60s.
During the week of Nov. 21 to Nov. 27, the county had 520 new COVID-19 cases, which was up from the previous week, when 491 new cases were reported.
Of the most recent 520 cases, 76.93 percent was among unvaccinated people, and 23.07 percent was breakthrough cases, meaning cases among those who had been vaccinated, according to the Health Department.
As of today (Dec. 1), the county had seen a total of 34,989 coronavirus cases since the first ones were reported in March 2020, the report said.
Red status
For a 19th consecutive week, the county is in the red status on the Health Department’s COVID-19 warning system. Red is the highest level on the four-color system and indicates high transmission of the virus in the community.
The number of cases per 100,000 people for Nov. 21 to Nov. 27 was 231.11, which was up from the previous week when there were 218.22 new cases per 100,000 people, the Health Department reported.
The county’s percentage of positive COVID-19 tests for Nov. 21 to Nov. 27 was 13.48 percent, which was up from the prior week at about 11.24 percent.
The Health Department uses the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) metrics to set the color level, and the community status is calculated using both the seven-day total of new cases per 100,000 residents and the percentage of positive tests. If the metrics have different color levels, the Health Department uses the higher color in the four-color system to determine the county color status.
Both metrics are in red, so the county remains in the red status.
Flu
Four flu cases were reported for Nov. 21-27, bringing the current season total to 34 cases, the Health Department reported.
No flu deaths have been reported this season, which began Oct. 3 and runs through May 21, 2022.
Vaccines
Health officials urge residents to get vaccinated against both COVID-19 and the flu and to take other steps to limit the spread of both, including frequent hand-washing, wearing masks and social distancing.
“As the holiday season approaches, JCHD encourages individuals to follow respirator illness prevention measures,” the report said.
The Health Department also recommends people “communicate with friends and family about the safety precautions you are taking."
As of today, 45.20 percent of Jefferson County residents was vaccinated, which was up slightly from the week before, when 44.95 percent was vaccinated, according to the Health Department.
Pfizer vaccines are now available to anyone 5 and older.
Health officials also recommend anyone who is 18 and older to get a COVID-19 booster vaccine.
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.
