This report includes data on both influenza and COVID for Week 50. Jefferson County Health Department (JCHD) monitors influenza and other respiratory pathogens, including COVID-19, throughout Jefferson County, Missouri.
JCHD conducts influenza surveillance using passive surveillance and syndromic surveillance. Although influenza illness can occur year-round, the seasonal influenza reporting begins on the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Week 40 of a given year and continues through MMWR Week 20 of the following calendar year. COVID-19 surveillance began in March 2020 and has been ongoing. COVID-19 data reflects cases that are entered into Missouri’s communicable disease database. Vaccination data for COVID-19 is reported to the Jefferson County Health Department weekly by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (MO DHSS). All data and information are conditional and may change as more reports are received.
COVID19 Data Dashboard: COVID-19 Data — Jefferson County Health Department (jeffcohealth.org)
Week 50 Respiratory Report: 2021_Week50_JCHDRespiratoryReport.pdf (squarespace.com)
Due to offices being closed next week, we will not have a Week 51 respiratory update, however, data can be found on the state website here: Health Metrics - County/Jurisdiction | COVID-19 Outbreak | Health & Senior Services (mo.gov)
As the holiday season approaches, JCHD encourages individuals to follow respiratory illness prevention measures. These include frequent handwashing especially before eating or serving food, wear a mask, communicate with friends and family about the safety precaution you are taking, and get vaccinated against the flu COVID if possible. For more information visit: Holiday Tips (cdc.gov)
Influenza Summary: (Sara Wilton, Epidemiologist)
This week, an additional 219 flu cases were added to our data. We now have 344 total cases of flu (190 were last week alone). Based on the previous few weeks of drastic increases, it appears we are on our way to an early peak this flu season. We really haven’t seen a peak this early in the season since the 2017-2018 flu season in which the predominant strain was H3N2, the same that is primarily circulating so far this year.
To give a little background, 2017-2018 was a record setting year in terms of flu related hospitalizations and pediatric deaths across the US (adult flu deaths are not nationally reportable, but they are reportable in Missouri). The combination of potentially high influenza related hospitalizations and already high covid related hospitalizations, threatens to burden the healthcare systems this winter. We cannot stress enough the importance of vaccinating against both viruses and continuing other prevention measures such as our masking and handwashing. No influenza associated deaths have been reported in the county as of Week 49.
COVID-19 Summary: (Sara Wilton, Epidemiologist)
This week the county remains in the RED/highest transmission level with a weekly case count of 909 confirmed and probable cases. Our weekly number of COVID cases and our percent positivity both increased from Week 49 to Week 50.
Of the 909 new cases reported in Week 50, 76.6% were unvaccinated. 51.87% of Jefferson County residents have initiated COVID vaccination, while 47.04% have completed the full series. The percentage of residents who have received a third dose or booster vaccine is 12.64%.
Total Cases: 37,701
Total Deaths: 378
7 additional deaths since last report, 4 community based, 3 LTCF based
2 Males, 70’s
Female, 70’s
2 Males, 80’s
Female, 80’s
Male, 90’s