Four COVID-related deaths were reported in Jefferson County during the first two weeks of October, after the start of the new respiratory season.
Flu cases just began popping up this fall, and more than 200 COVID cases have been reported during the start of the latest respiratory season, which began Oct. 1 and runs through May.
With the new respiratory season upon us, the Jefferson County Health Department is once again tracking flu and COVID numbers.
From Oct. 1 to Oct. 14, there were eight cases of Type A flu and one case of Type B flu reported to the Health Department. No flu-related deaths have been reported.
This time last year, there were 12 flu cases reported, with six each of Type A and Type B, the Health Department said.
In addition, the Health Department reported a total of 113 COVID cases the week of Oct. 1, with 96 more reported the week of Oct. 8.
During the entire previous respiratory season, which ran from Oct. 2, 2022, through May 21, 2023, there were 5,857 COVID cases reported in the county, as well as 56 COVID-related deaths.
While the number of COVID cases has been on the rise since the summer, that number is down from September, the Health Department reported.
“In June and July, we had less than 200 COVID cases each month,” Health Department spokeswoman Brianne Zwiener said. “In August we had 540 and in September, we had 775 (that) month. As of right now, it looks like our COVID numbers aren’t reaching the same volume we had back in September; however, (it is) higher than what we saw over the summer.”
Dr. Chandra Dommaraju, infectious disease medical director for Mercy Hospital Jefferson in Crystal City, said the hospital is still seeing COVID cases and deaths, but not like during the peak of the pandemic.
He said more people are vaccinated now, and there are better medications available to treat COVID patients.
Dommaraju also said those who are dying from COVID now tend to be older and have underlying health problems. In the early days of COVID-19, the hospital saw many more deaths a week, including people without prior medical conditions.
“One death is too many deaths,” he said.
Dommaraju said vaccination is still the key to prevention.
The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older get the recently updated COVID-19 vaccine to protect against the potentially serious outcomes of COVID-19 illness, adding that those who have not received a COVID vaccine in the past three months should consider getting one.
According to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, vaccination remains the best protection against COVID-related hospitalization and death, especially for people older than 65 or with weakened immune systems.
Flu
People may get the updated COVID vaccine and flu shot at the same time.
“They are both available at Mercy Pharmacy-Jefferson located at the hospital,” said Joe Poelker, a Mercy spokesperson. “People can walk-in or call ahead to schedule an appointment.”
The Jefferson County Health Department has received flu vaccines but is still waiting to receive the new COVID vaccine.
“We have received flu vaccines and can get folks scheduled for those in office,” Zwiener said. “We also have been doing our annual school flu vaccine clinics with several districts this month.
“We do not have COVID vaccine in stock. With it being the first time that they are only available commercially versus through the previous federal and state routes, there have been some hiccups. We are having trouble placing an order due to low/no stock. We continue to try. However, we haven’t been provided any timeline updates on availability. At this time, we are encouraging folks to go to pharmacies for their COVID vaccine or look on vaccines.gov for other sources.”
Health agencies recommend flu shots for everyone 6 months and older.
According to the CDC, the best way to protect against flu and its potentially serious complications is with a flu vaccine.
The CDC says flu vaccination is especially important for people 65 and older because they are at higher risk of developing serious flu complications that result in hospitalization or death. Older people should get a higher dose of adjuvanted flu vaccine, including Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent, Flublok Quadrivalent or Fluad Quadrivalent.
Vaccines for the current flu season have been updated from last season’s vaccine to better match circulating viruses.
The CDC recommends getting vaccinated by the end of October. Immunity from vaccination fully sets in after about two weeks.
RSV
Dommaraju said an RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) vaccine is now available for people 60 and older, as well as for pregnant women at 32 to 36 weeks gestation. The mothers’ vaccine provides protection to their newborns before they can get vaccinated themselves, he said.
Monoclonal antibody products have been available to protect infants and young children from severe RSV, but the FDA recently approved two RSV vaccines, Arexvy and Abrysvo, for adults.
Dommaraju said he strongly recommends getting all three vaccines, which are available at the pharmacy.
In addition to getting vaccines, the Health Department recommends taking other steps to avoid the flu, COVID and other respiratory illnesses.
“Prevention is key,” she said. “The best prevention step is to get vaccinated. Other prevention steps include frequent handwashing; covering your coughs and sneezes; if you feel sick, get tested; and stay away from others if you are experiencing symptoms to reduce transmission.”
If you would like to see weekly respiratory season updates, visit jeffcohealth.org/respiratory-illnesses.