Jefferson County Health Department (JCHD) has collaborated with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, Jefferson County 911 Dispatch, and the High Ridge Fire Department to expand the Project Lifesaver Program. High Ridge Fire District helped bring Project Lifesaver to the area several years ago. Now, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and the Health Department are expanding the program to our entire county.
Read moreJefferson County Health Department Reports 12 Additional COVID-19 Deaths
Jefferson County Health Department updated their reports today to reflect 12 additional COVID-19 deaths. Eleven deaths occurred over the last several weeks and one death from April was updated in the State system for a total of 12. These updates bring the total of COVID-19 deaths in Jefferson County to 78.
“We are truly disheartened to see additional COVID-19 deaths in our community,” states Jefferson County Health Department Director Kelley Vollmar. “Our condolences go out to their family and friends and to all those who have lost a loved one during this time.”
Of the 12 deaths reported, six were associated with long term care facilities, while the remaining six deaths were based in the community. The residents were:
Female 30’s
Female 50’s
2 males, 60’s
4 females, 70’s
3 males, 70’s
Male, 80’s
Jefferson County Health Department had been temporarily unable to update death statistics due to a recent rule implemented by the State of Missouri. Prior to this change, JCHD was able to access vital records information to identify and confirm COVID-19 deaths in the county as part of a review of medical records. The new rules have discontinued this practice for locals. In a press release earlier this week, Governor Parson’s office stated that Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services will analyze incoming death certificates approximately once per week.
Death certificates are now sent from the state to the federal level to ensure consistent coding of death data. CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) receives vital statistics data from all states and provides ICD-10 coding in a returned data file. NCHS coders provide continuity in reporting based on the literal fields contained in submitted death certificate data. This has increased the length of time it takes for locals to identify and report deaths, particularly that are community based.
Jefferson County Health Department continues to strongly encourage preventative measures such as hand washing, physical distancing, wearing a mask, and staying home if you are sick. “We urge the community to unite for the greater good and support each other as we work together to reduce the impact of COVID-19,” states Director Vollmar.
Jefferson County Health Department will be post COVID-19 death information on their dashboard once a week on Wednesday as reports are updated from the state. For the latest updates and more information about COVID-19, visit Jefferson County Health Department website www.jeffcohealth.org.
Jefferson County Health Department Updates Color Status Indicators in Unison with the New White House Pandemic Task Force Metrics
Recently the White House Pandemic Task Force (WHPTF) updated the color system used on their weekly reports. Originally these colors included red, yellow, and green (Figure 1). When the reports became available to the local public health agencies, the color system was expanded to include light green, dark green, yellow, orange, and red (Figure 2). The original green level was split into two sections and the original yellow level was split into yellow and orange levels.
Read moreFlu Season During COVID-19: What to Know
It’s that time a year again, flu season. 2020 has been a crazy year with the COVID-19 pandemic, but it’s not the only illness out there this time of year. Because some of the symptoms of flu and COVID-19 are similar, it may be hard to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone, and testing may be needed to help confirm a diagnosis.
Read moreHealth Department Reports Jefferson County Enters ‘Red’ - Highest COVID-19 Alert Status
Jefferson County Health Department (JCHD) officially moved the county to the highest alert status of red today which indicates widespread uncontrolled community transmission.
There are several data sources that are considered when evaluating community transmission of COVID-19. The main indicator used is the seven-day rolling average of cases per day/per 100,000 residents. “The rolling average hit 25.46 today, just over the 25-case threshold to move to red,” states Jefferson County Health Department Director, Kelley Vollmar. “Our COVID-19 case total increased 391 cases in the last seven days with an estimated 13.6% positivity rate among tests.” JCHD reported 223 new cases from Friday through Monday at midnight for a total of 3,248 county cases. Of that total, there are currently 882 active COVID-19 cases and 818 individuals actively quarantined as contacts to a positive case.
“It took weeks to earn our current status,” states Director Vollmar, “and it will take just as long to pull ourselves back out. We can’t do it alone. We need the community’s help.” JCHD has not currently recommended the closing of schools or businesses, as long as they can incorporate strict health and safety protocols to ensure the safety of their clients, students and staff. Businesses should incorporate low touch/no touch interactions as much as possible. While JCHD strongly encourages limiting social gatherings to 10 people or less, social distancing of 6 feet or more and use of masks when outside of the home, a special meeting of the JCHD Board of Trustees for the purpose of an ordinance is not planned at this time.
In the absence of county mandates, JCHD strongly urges residents to practice diligent prevention measures as a matter of personal responsibility:
limit unnecessary travel and contact with others outside of the home
avoid crowds and minimize social gatherings
practice 6-foot physical distancing
wear a mask when in public as recommended by the CDC
practice proper hygiene (cough etiquette, hand washing) and disinfection protocols
stay home if you are sick
