Jefferson County Week 29 Respiratory Update

This report includes data on both influenza and COVID for Week 49. 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.

 

Week 49 Respiratory Report: 2021_Week49_JCHDRespiratoryReport.pdf (squarespace.com)

COVID19 Data Dashboard: COVID-19 Data — Jefferson County Health Department (jeffcohealth.org)

 

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:

This week, an additional 65 flu cases were reported to JCHD for a total of 125 cases so far this season. We did receive some back dated flu cases from STL county which is why the total cases from week 48 increased since the last report. It is common for us to receive slightly delayed reports of cases from Jefferson County residents who were tested at a facility outside of our jurisdiction. Flu A cases are starting to pick up this year. We will watch the next few weeks’ data closely to analyze if we are going to be experiencing an earlier peak than usual. No influenza associated deaths have been reported in the county as of Week 49.

 

COVID-19 Summary:

This week the county remains in the RED/highest transmission level with a weekly case count of 855 confirmed and probable cases. Our weekly number of Covid cases decreased just slightly from Week 48 to Week 49, but the overall total number of cases for the last 7 days remains high. 20.7% of the cases from Week 49 came from the 0–19-year age group. The weekly positivity rate decreased slightly from 15.37% in Week 48 to 14.5% in Week 49.

Of the 855 new cases reported in Week 49, 75.9% were unvaccinated. 51.53% of Jefferson County residents have initiated COVID vaccination, while 46.48% have completed the full series. The percentage of residents who have received a third dose or booster vaccine is 11.29%.

  • Total Cases: 36,780

  • Total Deaths: 371

    • 4 additional deaths since last report, 2 community based, 2 LTCF based

      • Male, 60’s

      • Female, 70’s

      • Male, 80’s

      • Female, 90’s

Week 48 Respiratory Update

This report includes data on both influenza and COVID for Week 48. 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.

 

Week 48 Respiratory Report: 2021_Week48_JCHDRespiratoryReport.pdf (squarespace.com)

COVID19 Data Dashboard: COVID-19 Data — Jefferson County Health Department (jeffcohealth.org)

 

Influenza Summary:

This week 26 additional flu cases were reported to Jefferson County Health Department for a total of 60 cases so far this season. The prominent influenza strain in Jefferson County continues to be Type A with 42 total cases. We are starting to see a small uptick in flu cases reported, however, that is being seen throughout the state within the last week. Typically, we see flu season peak around January/February, so there is still time to get the flu vaccine to protect yourself and others. No influenza associated deaths have been reported in the county as of Week 48.

  

COVID-19 Summary:

This week the county remains in the RED/highest transmission level with a weekly case count of 871 confirmed and probablecases; that’s a 58% increase in cases from Week 47. The last time Jefferson County had this many COVID cases in a week was CDC Week 2 (January 10-16, 2021) with 885 cases. The weekly positivity rate also increased from 13.48% in Week 47 to 15.37% in Week 48.

Of the 871 new cases reported in week 48, 74.4% were unvaccinated. 51.19% of Jefferson County residents have initiated COVID vaccination, while 45.85% have completed the full series.

 

-       Total Cases: 35,742

-       Total Deaths: 367 (as of 12/8/2021)

             o     7 additional deaths, 5 community based, 2 LTCF based

§  Male, 30’s

§  Male, 50’s

§  2 Females, 60’s

§  Female, 70’s

§  Female, 80’s

§  Female, 90’s

 

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)

Handwashing Week

December 1st- 7th is National Handwashing Awareness week! One of the simplest and  most cost-effective way to prevent the spread of illness or becoming sick yourself is to WASH YOUR HANDS.

Hand washing with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds and then drying thoroughly with a paper towel has been shown to reduce the spread of both bacteria and viruses.  While we cannot eliminate “germs” in our lives, by simply washing our hands frequently throughout the day, we can keep everyone healthier. 

When are the most important times to wash our hands?

  • Before eating or before touching food someone else may be eating.  If you are preparing a meal, be sure to wash your hands before beginning to gather the utensils, cutting board and food.  Keeping the prep area clean will help with the spread of food borne illnesses as well.

  • After using the bathroom. Whether it’s public or private, you should wash your hands after using the bathroom.

  • After touching or caring for pets and/or animals.

  • Coming in from being outside. This applies to being in a public space, like shopping, school, public transportation, etc. or just playing outside.

  • After you sneeze, cough, or blow your nose.  Never cover your nose and mouth with your hands, always use a tissue or your elbow/shoulder.  If you should forget and use your hand, hurry and wash them before touching any surfaces, like doorknobs, chairs and tables.  Some viruses can live for hours or days on high touch areas.

What about hand sanitizer?

Hand sanitizers are a good substitute if soap and water are not available, but proper hand washing is the preferred method of keeping “germs” from making yourself and others sick.

It is important to model and teach children proper hand washing, which includes not only washing thoroughly, but drying hands thoroughly and completely with a paper towel.  Hand driers have shown to introduce more germs onto clean hands and without drying thoroughly, can cause an increase of bacteria. Keep you and your family safe this winter by practicing good handwashing techniques. While washing hands seems easy and simple, its one of best practices of healthy living!

About the Author:

Donna has been a nurse for 45 years having graduated from Jefferson College in 1975. I have been able to work as nurse in many disciplines, hospitals, intensive care, home health as well as private duty and long-term care.  I began my career at JCHD in 2000 as a Community Health Nurse, working in schools doing health promotions from kindergarten thru high school, from hand washing to stress management and many topics in between.  I very much enjoy working in the community at the many events that involve families and promoting the health and wellbeing of people of all ages.  Since coming to work for JCHD, I have found I really enjoy helping people be proactive and staying healthy instead of helping them return to health.   I have three sons and 10 grandchildren all who live in the area, so they keep me busy with Grandma duties, which I love.  I have lived everywhere from Missouri to SW Florida to Wyoming but have called Jefferson County home for most of my life. 

Jefferson County Week 47 Respiratory Update

This report includes data on both influenza and COVID for Week 47. 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.

 

Week 47 Respiratory Report: 2021_Week47_JCHDRespiratoryReport.pdf (squarespace.com)

COVID19 Data Dashboard: COVID-19 Data — Jefferson County Health Department (jeffcohealth.org)

 

Influenza Summary:

This week four additional flu cases were reported to Jefferson County Health Department for a total of 34 cases so far this season. The prominent influenza strain in Jefferson County currently is Type A with 24 total cases. CDC recently released a health alert pertaining to increased Flu A activity among young adults, especially in college settings. We have not yet received reports of outbreaks or seen a significant increase in cases, but we will continue to monitor. No influenza associated deaths have been reported in the county as of week 47.

 

COVID-19 Summary:

This week the county remains in the RED/highest transmission level with a weekly case count of 520 confirmed and probable cases and a positivity rate of 13.48%, both increases from week 46. Of the 520 new cases reported in week 47, 76.93% were unvaccinated. 50.74% of Jefferson County residents have initiated COVID vaccination, while 45.20% have completed the full series.

  • Total Cases: 34,989

  • Total Deaths: 360

    • 2 additional deaths, both community based

      • Male, 50’s

      • Male, 60’s

 

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)