The Jefferson County Health Department has reported four more COVID-19-related deaths, bringing the county’s total number of deaths from the virus to 264 since the start of the pandemic.
The four deaths include two men in their 50s, a man in his 60s and someone in their 30s. The Health Department did not report the sex of the person in their 30s.
Coronavirus cases are again on the rise in the county, and as of today (Aug. 11), the county had a total of 26,331 cases since the first ones were reported in March 2020.
Health Department epidemiologist Sara Wilton said she is worried about COVID-19 cases in children.
She said in July a total of 267 positive tests were reported in children 19 years old or younger and from Aug. 1-10 a total of 129 tests were positive for that age group.
“The false statement that ‘COVID doesn’t affect kids’ is still circulating,” she said. “Data has continued to show us that children are at risk for severe illness and hospitalization.”
Wilton said only 15.71 percent of eligible 12- to 19-year-olds in Jefferson County are vaccinated.
Wilton said a total of 55 breakthrough cases have been reported in county residents. Of the 55, five cases were hospitalized and three were reported as asymptomatic.
“Though we have a small amount of breakthrough cases, we know that vaccination is the most effective prevention strategy we have to prevent the spread and reduce the impact of infection within the community,” Wilton said.
Color status
Jefferson County is in the red status on the Health Department’s COVID-19 warning system for a third week. Red is the highest level on the four-color system and indicates high transmission of the virus within the community.
The main indicator of the color status is the total number of cases in a seven-day period per 100,000 people.
The number of cases per 100,000 people for the week of Aug. 1-7 was 246.22.
A total of 15.4 percent of tests last week were positive.
Vaccines
As of today, 32.8 percent of Jefferson County residents have completed their COVID-19 vaccinations, up just slightly from the week before, when 31.64 percent of countians had been vaccinated, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services reported.
As an incentive, the DHSS has partnered with the Missouri Lottery to pick 180 winners in each of five drawings for a total of 900 winners who each will receive a $10,000 cash prize or $10,000 in an education saving account. Those who have been vaccinated may enter at covidvaccine.mo.gov/win.
The Health Department continues to urge people to take steps to limit the spread of the virus, including getting the vaccine and wearing masks.
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 a local vaccine site, visit vaccinefinder.org.
