The Jefferson County Health Department reported two new COVID-19-related deaths and two flu-related deaths.
The COVID-19 deaths reported this week were a man in his 70s and a man in this 80s. The flu-related deaths reported this week were two women in their 60s.
That brings the county’s total number of deaths from COVID-19 to 18 during this respiratory season, which began the first week of October and ends in May, according to the Health Department.
The county has seen a total of 571 COVID-19-related deaths since the start of the pandemic.
During the week of Dec. 4-10, the Health Department reported 371 new COVID-19 cases for a season total of 2,516.
As of Dec. 15, Jefferson County was in the yellow, or medium, level on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention three-color COVID-19 warning system. That is the 19th consecutive week the county has been in the yellow level.
Brianne Zwiener, Jefferson County Health Department public information officer, 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.
A COVID-19 bivalent booster vaccine that targets both the original strain of the virus and Omicron sub-variants is available at Mercy Jefferson in Crystal City, and people may sign up to receive a dose at mercy.net/movaccine.
However, people may not receive the new booster unless it’s been at least two months since their last COVID-19 vaccine or booster.
Flu
A total of 2,036 cases have been reported since the flu season began on Oct. 2, with 424 additional cases reported this past week, according to the Health Department. There have been 1,973 cases of type A flu and 63 of type B flu reported so far this season.
The flu deaths reported this week are the first two deaths for this season.
Health officials strongly encourage people to get vaccinated against the flu.
Appointments to get a flu vaccine from the Health Department can be scheduled by calling 636-797-3737.
