COVID -19
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October 23, 2020 St. Louis County COVID-19 Update Large Gatherings As the holiday season approaches, be sure to keep yourself and those around you safe by avoid large crowds or gatherings. In communities where there may be events of this nature, please consider the following:
For additional information and recommendations from the CDC click here. Buzz Westfall Center The St. Louis County Department of Public Health has identified an additional six cases of COVID-19 among incarcerated individuals at the Buzz Westfall Justice Center, bringing the total number of positive cases discovered since Oct. 2 to 49.
Four of the six new cases were discovered in tests taken during the intake process and are not related to this month’s outbreak. Two of the new patients had been in the facility’s population when tested. All patients were isolated from the general jail population.
All of the facility’s approximately 900 incarcerated individuals have now been tested and many are being retested. Sixteen patients who tested positive in the first wave of testing have completed their isolation, are no longer infectious and have been returned to the general population.
Most patients in the facility are asymptomatic. None who are symptomatic exhibit moderate or severe symptoms, and they are frequently evaluated by medical providers. Adjustments have been made to facilitate isolation in single cells for each patient who requires it.
On Oct. 2, an incarcerated patient tested positive during routine screening. The patient, who had previously tested negative for the disease, was transferred to the facility’s COVID unit. Employees of the St. Louis County Department of Public Health immediately began additional PCR testing of inmates and employees who had had contact with the patient.
Before that case, DPH had detected no evidence of transmission of the virus within the facility. All previous cases were traced to transmission before the individual entered the facility.
To support our COVID patients’ connection to their families, the Community Liaison program was expanded to allow patients to allow Corrections Medicine to share a specific set of information with identified family members. Incarcerated patients have access to telephones at least twice daily, and facility employees are encouraging patients and close contacts to keep their families updated. Families of incarcerated individuals who would like more information are encouraged to email stlcohealth@stlouisco.com or call 314-615-JAIL (5245) and ask for the Medical Community Liaison, who will address their concerns and facilitate communication with family members.
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September 9, 2020
St. Louis County COVID-19 Update
Elementary School Recommendations
As discussed by Dr. Page this morning, the Department of Public Health closely tracks new cases of COVID-19 among children and teens and recent data has indicated a steady increase in cases among those 15 to 19 years old. Ninety percent of the cases that have been impacting our schools in the last two weeks, have been in middle or high school. In fact, the rate of new cases in this age group is nearly five times the average rate of new cases among younger children. Additionally, the positivity rate of adolescents who fall in the 15 to 19 year old range, is highest of all age groups at 20%. By contrast, the positivity rate among children aged 5 to 9 is currently at 6%.
Based on our current data, the Department of Public Health is modifying the recommendation for schools that may allow for the consideration of transitioning their elementary school students to in-person education if they determine that is the right decision for them. St. Louis County is not mandating this transition, nor will it set criteria for how this should happen. DPH is simply highlighting the data that currently supports the option for more in-person learning for our youngest students.
The Department of Public Health is aware of all the work that school districts have put in to provide virtual education for their students and understand the difficulties that were accompanied in the process. At this time, DPH urges parents and families to be patient as individual school districts evaluate next steps. There are significant factors that school district leaders will need to consider and plan for, which will dictate if or when elementary students return to in-person education.
DPH has full faith in the superintendents, school leaders, and teachers as they make plans that work best for their students, families, and staff. Even though many may be excited to have students back in classrooms, administrators also understand the disruption and stress that is created if they have to switch back and forth between virtual and in-person education. St. Louis County will remain available to help our school partners.
As a result of our current data, DPH is also not recommending a transition to in-person learning for middle or high school students. As virtual learning continues for these students, DPH will work with our partners to protect and support these students and plan for their eventual transition back to school, as soon as the data supports that decision. It is a unified goal to get to that point safely.
Youth Sports Guidelines
Additionally, the data collected currently supports allowing increased participation for some youth sports activities. The Youth Sports Guidelines for St. Louis County have been amended and a third classification of sports, moderate-frequency of contact, has been added. These amendments are in alignment with some of the recommendations from the St. Louis Sports Medicine COVID-19 Task Force, as well as the most recent recommendations from the State of Illinois. For the new youth sports guidelines, please click here.
August 31, 2020
St. Louis County COVID-19 Update
COVID-19 Testing
In partnership with our school districts, the Department of Public Health is assembling a set of data points for districts and private schools to access as they work toward a possible return to in-school instruction. By the end of this week, DPH anticipates to share the following points of data with all schools:
- All new cases will be listed on the COVID-19 dashboard, grouped into zip codes and placed within school district boundaries. That dashboard can be found here.
- Additionally, a new cases-per-day indicator will be included in the bi-weekly report scheduled to be released next Friday.
- Youth data will also be expanded, including;
- New cases and testing positivity rate for age ranges 0-4, 5-9, 10-14 and 15-19.
- Two-week zip code trends and;
- Case and contact interview information from schools and school related activity.
The latest case data from the Department of Public Health indicates the following:
- Even with limited school openings, there have been 75 cases associated with schools. In public schools, with mostly virtual learning, most of the cases are among staff. In private schools, with mostly in-person learning, most of the cases are among students.
- Secondary transmission has also been noted, meaning that student cases have transmitted the virus to other students.
- In all, approximately 40 schools in St. Louis County have reported either a positive case or a close contact of a case in August, with increasing reports as the month progressed.
- Reports of school-related cases paired with the high incidence of cases in the County overall (about 200 new cases per day) is concerning.
While the rate of new cases among 15-19-year-olds has risen sharply over the past two months, the rate of new cases among younger children has remained relatively stable. For that reason, there is anticipation that there may be adjusted recommendations for a return to in-person learning among younger students first. At this time, there is no date for which those changes may be announced and it will be some time before recommendations will be reviewed for the return of in person classes for high school students.
Again, testing is available and encouraged. Anyone with regular contact with people outside the household should get tested. Please continue to maintain social distancing, wear masks and practice hand-washing. Testing is by appointment only, can be made here and at no cost.
Pop-Up Testing Locations
In partnership with St. Louis County Libraries, pop-up testing will occur at the following branches during the month of September. Testing is by appointment only and can be made online here. All pop-up testing locations are between the hours of 8:00 am and noon. A full schedule is available online at www.slcl.org/events.
August 26, 2020
St. Louis County COVID-19 Update
COVID-19 Trends
As Dr. Page mentioned this morning, the Department of Public Health is continuing to monitor trends in cases. These trends help guide the response to protect the health and safety of our residents. Over the last few months, the rate of new cases has been highest in St. Louis County within the 20 to 29 age range. However, over the few weeks, the rate of new cases among those in the 15 to 19 age group has risen to an equally high rate. Based on case investigations and contact tracing, the increase of cases in that age group is not attributed to any single location or event. Rather, it’s more the community being in public and active.
This increase is not unexpected, but it is concerning. While teens are less likely to have severe health outcomes from COVID-19, they can become quite sick and spread the virus to others in their family who are at higher risk of becoming seriously ill. This again is an opportunity to stress how important it is to continue to practice personal protective measures. Remember, masks are required in schools and in public places. Be diligent, practice social distancing and wash your hands. If you have any symptoms, no matter how minor, please stay home to limit the exposure to others.
The virus spreads easily and it spreads fast. Take care of yourself. By doing so, you are taking care of others.
CARES Act Funding
This morning, Dr. Page also gave an update on the participatory budgeting program for up to $7 million in CARES Acts funds. The Department of Public Health engaged with residents in 18 ZIP codes, 17 in North County and one in the southeast part of the county, on how they would like to see the $7 million spent on healthcare.
The targeted areas were chosen based on census and other data including median household income, unemployment rate, percentage of people uninsured and rate of COVID-19 in that part of the county.
The residents prioritized the following five areas:
- Increased access to testing including in high-traffic places such as grocery stores and churches and testing for those who are homebound.
- PPE and Supplies.
- Primary and preventative care, dental care and eye-care services.
- Mental health and behavioral health services.
- Emergency healthcare needs such as coverage of co-pays, medical expenses, costs of prescriptions and technology to access telehealth.
There were 38 applications from more than two dozen agencies that applied to provide the services, and 13 of the organizations have received a Notice of Award for the funding. That represents more than $2.2 million. Our Department of Public Health is still reviewing other applications and is working to award more funding for services in the near future.
Youth Sports Guidance
For clarification purposes, the Saint Louis County Department of Public Health has not amended its Youth Sports Guidelines. At this time, the current guidelines remain in effect until further notice, are posted online in its entirety and can be found online here. Again, no additional changes have been or plan to be made to Youth Sports Guidance at this time.
August 21, 2020
St. Louis County COVID-19 Update
Face Covering Order Amendment
Effective Monday, August 24th, the Face Covering Order has been amended to the following changes:
- Requires masks to be worn in educational institutions, public or private, in grades Kindergarten through 12th grade (K-12).
- There are a few times during the school day that a student can remove their masks:
- While at recess or in physical education class, as long as students are at least 6 feet apart;
- While participating in band, choir, or music class, as long as students are at least 6 feet apart;
- While consuming food or drink as long as students are at least 6 feet apart; and
- In accordance with DPH’s Youth Sport Guidelines while participating in a school sponsored sport.
- The Order changes the age for children to wear masks in public accommodations from over the age of 9 to over the age of 5 - to reflect the requirement now in schools. If a 5 year old is attending kindergarten they must wear a face covering.
- The Order specifically states that businesses "must" deny entry to customers who refuse to wear a face covering. Modifying the language from “authorizing", to "must deny" entry, empowers the businesses to enforce the requirement.
The St. Louis County Department of Public Health has received many complaints that some businesses are not requiring face coverings. The clarification of this language should not only assist businesses in enforcing the requirement, but also make customers feel more protected. The Face Covering Guidelines provide alternatives to businesses who provide goods or services to those unable to wear face coverings due to a medical condition or those who refuse to wear a face covering for other reasons. A business can provide curbside/delivery to the customer and a business may allow entry if the person is willing to wear a face shield instead of a face covering.
The amended orders will be posted online at stlcorona.com later today.
Youth Sports Guidance
For clarification purposes, the Saint Louis County Department of Public Health has not amended its Youth Sports Guidelines. At this time, the current guidelines remain in effect until further notice, are posted online in its entirety and can be found here. Again, no changes have occured or plan to be made to Youth Sports Guidance at this time.
August 16, 2020
St. Louis County COVID-19 Update
Adult Sport Guidelines
As announced by Dr. Page last week, additional guidelines for Adult Sports have been released and are effective today. Similar to Youth Sports, activities are categorized according to how much contact players have with each other. For sports where there is a high-frequency of contact, like football, there will now be similar restrictions as in youth sports.
For high-frequency contact sports, team workouts and practices are allowed with these restrictions:
- Team contact drills are allowed but only in groups of 20 athletes or fewer; up from a maximum of 10 athletes.
- Two coaches will be permitted in addition to the group of 20 or fewer athletes.
- Each group of athletes, not to exceed 20 per group, must remain in a separate, single space from another group of athletes at any one time. Any single space must have a minimum of a 20-foot barrier from any other single space. No person is allowed within that 20-foot barrier, it should be clearly marked and such demarcation shall be indicated by a wall, tape or cones.
These changes allow athletes to participate in drills and allow for workouts/practices to occur in the same athletic complex. As a reminder, NO games or scrimmages, including tournaments or competitions are permitted.
High frequency of contact sports include basketball, boxing, tackle/flag/and touch football, martial arts, rugby, water polo and wrestling.
Also new in adult sports, there are now three classifications. In addition to high-frequency and low-frequency, there is now a moderate-frequency level. These sports also include contact between players, but restrictions can limit the amount of contact the players have with each other. The sports include baseball, cheerleading, rowing, dance team, fencing, floor/field/ and ice hockey, lacrosse, racquetball, soccer, softball, team handball, ultimate Frisbee, and volleyball.
In all sports, regardless of classification, face coverings must be worn any time an athlete not doing vigorous physical activity. Social distancing must be followed when possible and is required when not an active participant. Coaches must always wear face coverings and no spectators are allowed.
If there is any question regarding which category should be applied to a sport, please contact the Department of Public Health. The Adult Sports Guidance in its entirety can be found online here.
Pop-Up Testing Locations
The following COVID-19 pop-up testing locations are scheduled for the month of August. Testing is by appointment only and can be made online here. All pop-up testing locations are between the hours of 8:00 am and noon.