The Jefferson County Health Department has announced the county’s first death related to the COVID-19 coronavirus today (April 2). The resident was a female in her 80s, who had been hospitalized, the Health Department reported.
“We are deeply saddened by this news,” Health Department Director Kelley Vollmar said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends at this time.”
The Health Department announced eight new positive cases of the COVID-19 coronavirus in the county Thursday (April 1), bringing the county total to 47 cases.
At that time, Brianne Zwiener, communications specialist with the Health Department, said the county had 24 female cases, 22 male cases and one case that was being determined. The cases affected people of all ages, from children to senior citizens, the Health Department reported.
In a social media post, the Health Department gave zip codes where the positive cases in the county are located – 63010 (Arnold), 63012 (Barnhart), 63016 (Cedar Hill), 62020 (De Soto), 63026 (Fenton), 63028 (Festus), 63049 (High Ridge), 63050 (Hillsboro), 63051 (House Springs), 63052 (Imperial), 63069 (Pacific) and 63070 (Pevely).
Vollmar said everyone around the county needs to take precautions to stem the spread of the coronavirus.
“Community spread is present in our community, and, unfortunately, we will continue to see this virus spread and case counts increase,” she said. “It is important residents follow guidelines and regulations in place from government agencies across the nation, as well as in Jefferson County.”
The first three confirmed cases in Jefferson County were announced March 23, and there have been new cases everyday since then.
As of today, Missouri had 1,834 positive cases and 19 deaths from the coronavirus, according to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that the U.S. had 213,144 positive cases and a total of 4,513 deaths as of today.
According to the World Health Organization and CDC numbers, the U.S. now leads the world in positive cases.
Anyone who shows coronavirus symptoms or who has questions should call the Missouri State Hotline at 877-435-8411 or the Mercy Clinical Support Line at 314-251-0500. For more information about COVID-19, go to jeffcohealth.org./coronavirus-covid19.
