RED Status | Total new cases per 100,000 persons in past 7 days: 246.22 | Positivity Rate: 15.4%
CDC Week 31 Epidemiological Analysis: (from JCHD Epidemiologist, Sara Wilton)
The County had a weekly case count of 554 confirmed and probable cases and a percent positivity of 15.43% in week 31. An additional 79 cases were added to week 30 after our reports were published due to delays in case reporting. Please keep this in mind as you review this weeks’ numbers. Our highest percent increase in cases from week 30 to week 31 once again came from our 0-9 year age group.
Because this is yet another week where the highest increase in cases came from our 0-9 year population, I did some additional research on hospitalizations among this group as well. Hospitalizations among children with Covid-19 are still not being talked about enough. The false statement that “Covid doesn’t affect kids” is still circulating. Data has continued to show us that children are at risk for severe illness and hospitalization.
According to the CDC, new admissions among children ages 0-17 are at its highest point in the pandemic thus far. The CDC has a section on their website where you can toggle between age groups to see a graph of new admissions per 100,000 and it is very alarming. All age groups under the age of 50 currently have new admissions greater than last fall when we experienced our biggest case surge.
To give you an example, I wanted to show the 18-29 age group in Missouri compared to the 70+ age group. They show the same time frame but notice the difference in curves.
This is certainly a good example of how vaccinations can impact and reduce the risk of hospitalization. The 18-29 group is approximately 31% fully vaccinated in Missouri whereas the 70+ group is approximately 75% fully vaccinated in Missouri.
On the CDC website there is a section that looks at hospital data. These graphs are specific to Jefferson County and show the 7-day totals, rates, percentages, and % change in the last 7 days. CDC COVID Data Tracker
In the entire month of July, we had 267 positive cases in our 0-19 age group. In the first 10 days of August, we have had 129 positive cases in our 0-19 age group. As of week 31, 15.71% of 10-19 year olds in our county have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Our total percentage of vaccinated individuals has increased slightly from 31.64% in week 30 to 32.23% in week 31. We are hoping to see a larger increase in vaccination as we head into the fall and back to school season.
During week 31, no deaths were reported, however, since Sunday an additional 4 deaths have come in.
Breakthrough cases have been reported in 55 (.08%) Jefferson County residents. Of those 55 cases, 5 were known to be hospitalized and 3 were reported as asymptomatic. Though we have a small amount of breakthrough cases, we know that vaccination is the most effective prevention strategy we have to prevent the spread and reduce the impact of infection within the community.
Jefferson County is currently in the ‘high transmission’ status. JCHD continues to recommend prevention measures including wearing a mask according to CDC guidance, hand washing, staying home if you are sick, avoiding large gatherings, getting tested if you are sick, and getting vaccinated if you are eligible. Each of these layers of protection not only keep us safe as individuals, but also reduce the risk of transmission protecting our families, friends, and the community.
CDC Week 31 Epi Report:
CDC Week 30 Vaccine Report:
COVID-19 Case Updates: (as of 8/11/2021)
Total Cases: 26,331
Active Cases: 806
Total Deaths: 264
4 additional deaths to report, all community based
2 males: 50’s
Male: 60’s
Unknown: 30’s
