Create an Account - Increase your productivity, customize your experience, and engage in information you care about.
August 4, 2021
St. Louis County COVID-19 Update
Data on Covid-19 Surge in St Louis County
St. Louis County has a concerning combination of low vaccination rates and high community transmission that make breakthrough cases an increasing reality. The disease is different, more transmissible, and more likely to affect children.
We understand that most of the public may be frustrated and would like to return to their pre-pandemic life; however this is our undeniable reality.
Data is changing every day. DPH is committed to science-based public health information and understands that there may be some confusion. Throughout this presentation, there is further insight into current trends, steps being taken by DPH, and recommendations on how to work together to keep St. Louis County safe. This is the most up-to-date data for St. Louis County.
As of August 3, we have a cumulative weekly rate of 170 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents. Each day we are seeing an average of 274 new cases of COVID-19. The vast majority of these cases are in unvaccinated people. Not only is the number of cases high, but the County’s positivity rate is at 11.8%. This means that not enough people are getting tested for COVID-19, and as such, we probably have many more that 274 cases each day.
Our most concerning update is that the disease is fundamentally different than last year, particularly in children. This is very concerning as the school year is around the corner. This summer there has been an increased number of outbreaks in camps and daycares, which demonstrates that transmission in school is not only possible, but likely, especially if the appropriate mitigation measures are not taken.
While most cases only have mild symptoms or no symptoms, and children seldom end up in the hospital, we do not yet know what the long-term effects of children contracting COVID-19 are. As such, DPH has recommended universal masking in all schools.
A second concerning trend is the increasing proportion of COVID-19 cases that are fully vaccinated people. Last week, about 1 in 5 reported cases were in people who have been fully vaccinated. Since we suspect that the high positivity rate indicates that we have much high number of cases than we currently suspect, this is likely an overestimation. In the upcoming weeks, it’s very likely that you will know someone that is vaccinated and tests positive for COVID-19. We are often seeing that these cases are from sustained exposure to a COVID-19 infection in an unvaccinated person, usually in the same household.
What does this mean for you and your family? It’s not enough to just get vaccinated – make sure that loved ones get vaccinated and minimize your exposure by masking and spending limited time with individuals whose vaccination status is unclear. Given the increasing cases in children, well-intentioned, vaccinated, but unmasked people can and will infect children, if they do not take precautions, such as masking.
Our high rate of community transmission is fueled by the fact that only 45.2% of St. Louis County is fully vaccinated. The high rate of community transmission and the low rate of vaccination make for a very concerning combination –COVID-19 will be with us longer as a result.
The vast majority of those hospitalized for COVID-19 are unvaccinated. While over 78.9% of our population over 65 are vaccinated, less than half of those under the age of 50 have gotten their shot.
There are significant disparities in vaccination rates by zip code. The zip codes in lighter blue have the lowest vaccination rates. Many zip codes in West County have about a rate of 70% of their population having initiated their vaccination compared with about 35% in North County. The six zip codes with the lowest rates are outlined in black.
DPH is committed to increasing vaccination rates, especially in zip codes with low rates, and in the last two weeks, there have been improvements. As of July 9th, there was an average of 1139 doses administered each day, and as of July 27, this has since increased to an average of 1767 doses administered each day. The most significant jump over the last month is in the 10-19 age group (12 and older are eligible for the vaccine). As of July 29, 38.7% of those in this age group have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, compared to 32.3% on June 25. Over 7500 people aged 12-19 initiated their vaccine last month. Even better, the Inner North region is still initiating vaccination faster than the other regions.
DPH is working with community partners to put on neighborhood clinics where we bring the vaccine to you. The Purple Pins indicate the 11 upcoming clinics through August 10th. This Heat Map indicates the location of 87 events held at 55 locations with between 2 and 271 doses that were administered. If you are interested in hosting a neighborhood clinic, please visit https://stlcorona.com/covid19-vaccines/vaccination-partnerships/.
DPH has also concentrated our efforts on the zip codes with low vaccination rates. Between 6/25 to 7/30, the zip codes with the largest increases in vaccination initiation were the six zip codes in North County with the lowest vaccination rates.
Again, the number of COVID-19 cases is climbing, and this is not the right direction. Please keep yourself and your loved ones safe and help St. Louis County fight this new version of COVID-19. To slow the spread, get vaccinated and encourage loved ones and everyone you know get vaccinated, including children 12 and older before entering in-person school activities.
If you have any symptoms or are exposed to someone with COVID-19, please get tested. You can make an appointment for a free COVID-19 test athttps://stlcorona.com/covid-19-testing/. It is no longer enough for just you to be vaccinated – ask your friends and family to be vaccinated as well. If they aren’t, they may be putting you at risk. Please wear a mask when in public to protect yourself and others. Choosing not to wear a mask when in contact with anyone outside your household, particularly when you are indoors, puts everyone at risk, particularly children for contracting COVID-19.
This report is attached and can also be found online here.
For information from St. Louis County, visit https://stlcorona.com/
The City of Town and Country considers public health and safety as one of the key tenants of our mission. To that end City staff and elected officials have put many precautions in place. We have also been coordinating with St. Louis County Department of Health and West County Fire and EMS. Listed below are resources to assist you. If you do not find the information you need, please do not hesitate to contact City Hall at 314-432-6606.
If I am concerned that I have coronavirus or may have been exposed, what do I do?
Contact the St. Louis County COVID-19 Hotline 24/7 at 314-615-2660
Where can I get information and updates?
Visit St. Louis County’s dedicated COVID-19 webpage at www.STLcorona.com
Please follow St. Louis County, the County Department of Public Health and the County Executive on social media for updates.
https://www.facebook.com/stlouisco/
http://twitter.com/StLCountyDOH
https://www.facebook.com/StLCountyDOH
https://www.facebook.com/CountyExecutiveSamPage/
Where can I get updates about travel?
Coronavirus Disease Information for Travel can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html
What resources are available from St. Louis County?
Where can I find information about Town and Country events?
There is a dedicated "News Flash" on the homepage of our website, or click here to access.
A "Thank You" from Missouri Baptist Medical Center - Click here to read.
* * * * *
On Tuesday, March 17, 2020 the Social Security Administration closed ALL local Social Security offices to the public for in-person service.
This change impacts the nearly 3.5 million U.S. citizens across the country who rely on their local Social Security office each month to get help applying for and receiving benefits.