For the third consecutive week, Jefferson County is in the yellow level on the Jefferson County Health Department’s COVID-19 warning system. Yellow is the second lowest level on the four-color system and indicates minimal to moderate transmission of the virus.
Several factors are evaluated when determining the color level, including Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and White House Pandemic Task Force guidelines. However, the main indicator is the seven-day rolling average number of cases per day per 100,000 people.
The rolling average number of cases for the week of May 16 to May 22 was 3.56. That was down from the previous week, when the seven-day rolling average was 6.79 per day per 100,000 people in the county, which has a population of about 225,000.
The county has had a total of 23,717 COVID-19 cases since the first ones were reported in March 2020. Of those, 1,344 have been from long-term care facilities, the Health Department reported.
The Health Department did not report any new COVID-19-related deaths this week. The county has a total of 248 deaths from the virus since the start of the pandemic.
Despite the lower number of new COVID-19 cases over the past several weeks, health officials still urge residents to take steps to curb the spread of the virus by following CDC guidance.
The CDC recently announced that people who are fully vaccinated, which means two weeks after a second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines or two weeks after one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, may resume activities without wearing a mask or social distancing, except for in hospitals, nursing homes and on planes or other public transportation, or when required by federal, state or local laws or by private businesses.
Vaccines
As of today, the Health Department has administered a total of 22,128 COVID-19 vaccine doses, and a total of 24.36 percent of Jefferson County residents have completed their vaccinations, the Health Department reported in a written statement.
Sara Wilton, the Health Department’s epidemiologist, said six breakthrough infections were reported in the last week. A breakthrough infection is when a person who is fully vaccinated against COVID-19 tests positive for the virus.
She said only one of the six breakthroughs went to the hospital, and it was for non-COVID-19-related reasons and tested positive, but was asymptomatic.
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.
Comtrea, which also offers health care services around the county, provides vaccine clinics, too. To make an appointment, go to comtrea.org/vaccine, or call 636-232-2308.
Mercy also has created an online sign-up method to help distribute vaccines. To sign up with Mercy, go to mercy.net/MOVaccine. Those without internet access may call 833-364-6777.
SSM Health has an online vaccine appointment site at ssmhealth.com/access/covid19-vaccine-scheduling.
Other hospital systems and pharmacies also are registering people for the vaccines. To find a local vaccine site, visit vaccinefinder.org.
