Week 12 Respiratory Update

An additional 25 flu cases were added to our data. This brings our total number of flu cases this season 1,162 with the majority being Type A. There are 8 weeks left in this year’s flu season. In the past, now is when we would typically see that drastic decrease in flu cases, however this season our cases dropped around the first week of 2022 and have held steady ever since. So far, this flu season, we have reported two flu deaths in the county.  

 

COVID-19 Summary: (Sara Wilton, Epidemiologist)

Currently, Jefferson County, MO is in the LOW COMMUNITY LEVEL (green). In the LOW level, the recommendations for individuals and households are:

·        Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines and boosters

·        Maintain improved ventilation throughout indoor spaces when possible

·        Follow CDC recommendations for isolation and quarantine, including getting tested if you are exposed to COVID-19 or have symptoms of COVID-19

·        If you are immunocompromised or high risk for severe disease

o   Have a plan for rapid testing if needed (e.g., having home tests or access to testing)

o   Talk to your healthcare provider about whether you are a candidate for treatments like oral antivirals, PrEP, and monoclonal antibodies

Of the 54 new cases reported in Week 11, 66.7% were unvaccinated, 24.04% were fully vaccinated, and 9.26% were fully vaccinated AND boosted.  50.70% of Jefferson County residents have completed the full series of vaccination and 20.24% have received a third dose or booster vaccine.


Jefferson County Health Department strongly encourages vaccinated individuals to get their booster dose as well. Although COVID-19 vaccines remain effective in preventing severe disease, recent data  suggest their effectiveness at preventing infection or severe illness wanes over time, especially in people ages 65 years and older.

 

The recent emergence of the Omicron variant further emphasizes the importance of vaccination, boosters, and prevention efforts needed to protect against COVID-19.

 

Data from clinical trials showed that a booster shot increased the immune response in trial participants who finished a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna primary series 6 months earlier or who received a J&J/Janssen single-dose vaccine 2 months earlier. With an increased immune response, people should have improved protection against getting infected with COVID-19. For Pfizer-BioNTech and J&J/Janssen, clinical trials also showed that a booster shot helped prevent severe disease.

 

-        Total Cases: 53,066

-        Total Deaths: 533

o    3 additional deaths since last report

§  Female, 60’s

§  Female, 90’s

§  Male, 90’s