The Jefferson County Health Department reported three new COVID-19-related deaths this week, bringing the county’s total number of deaths related to the virus to 569 since the start of the pandemic.
The latest deaths were a woman in her 80s and two men in their 80s.
As of Sept. 9, 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 fourth consecutive week the county has been in the yellow level.
Brianne Zwiener, Jefferson County Health Department public information officer, said she still 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 visit vaccines.gov for information about where vaccine appointments are available.
A new COVID-19 booster vaccine that targets the Omicron sub-variants will soon be available, and people already may sign up at Mercy hospitals to receive it once shipments arrive in the area.
Both Pfizer and Moderna have released one of the new vaccines, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gave them emergency authorizations on Aug. 31 and the CDC signed off on the vaccines on Sept. 1.
Those 12 years and older may receive the new Pfizer booster and those 18 and older may get the new Moderna booster, as long as they have completed at least the first two COVID-19 vaccines.
However, people may not receive the new booster unless it’s been at least two months since their last COVID-19 vaccine or booster.
Jon Lakamp, Mercy’s chief pharmacy officer, said the new booster protects people against the original strain of COVID-19 and Omicron sub-variants.
“This (new booster) adds a second component to the COVID vaccine that broadens the protection and better matches the variance of the virus that is circulating in the community,” he said.
LaKamp said people may sign up for a dose at mercy.net/movaccine.
