City of Jennings Logo

October 11, 2021

St. Louis County COVID-19 Update

Mental Health Resources Available

The St. Louis County Department of Public Health wants the community to know that mental health remains more important than ever. After more than a year and a half of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is common to feel stress, burnout and anxiety. Everyone reacts differently to stressful situations. Individuals who have preexisting mental health conditions should continue their treatment and be aware of new or worsening symptoms, and everyone should show compassion and kindness to others as we continue to recover from the pandemic. Here are healthy ways to cope with stress:

• Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories
• Set limits on media and social media consumption
• Stay active
• Eat healthy foods
• Stay hydrated and avoid excessive amounts of caffeine or alcohol
• Connect with others
• Get accurate information from reputable sources

Those who are struggling to adapt to challenges or need someone to talk to can contact any of the following organizations:

• Mid-Missouri Crisis Line
• Care for Your Coronavirus Anxiety
• Safe Connections St. Louis

For additional COVID-19 resources, visit ReviveSTL.com.

September 27, 2021

St. Louis County COVID-19 Update

Pfizer COVID-19 Booster Dose Update

Beginning today, September 27, Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine booster doses will be available at all DPH vaccination sites. This includes DPH’s three public health clinics located in Berkeley, Pine Lawn and Sunset Hills. DPH continues to accept walk-ins, and while DPH recommends that patients discuss the decision to get a 3rd dose with their healthcare provider, patients do not need a referral in order to receive a third dose. Patients are asked to bring their vaccine card or a copy of their card with them. For a full list of St. Louis County-sponsored vaccination sites, please visit revivestl.com.

As of last Friday, the CDC is now recommending​ a single booster dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for individuals who meet certain conditions six months after their second dose. Those conditions include:

• Those who are 65 and older
• Those in long-term care facilities
• Individuals ages 50 through 64 with underlying medical conditions such as chronic lung disease, diabetes and lung disease 
• Individuals with high exposure to the virus due to where they work or live such as healthcare workers and people in shelters or corrections facility

As of now, only recipients of the Pfizer vaccine are eligible for a booster dose.The CDC and FDA are currently reviewing evidence regarding booster doses for other vaccine types and they are expected to make announcements in the coming weeks.

Vaccination remains the best tool to protect yourself, loved ones and the community from the risk of COVID-19.

St. Louis County Issues New Mask Mandate to Protect Children

To help keep children who are not eligible for a vaccine safe, St. Louis County has issued a new public health order​ requiring masks to be worn in public places, regardless of vaccination status. It was signed this morning and goes into effect immediately. 

“Masks help us mitigate the virus while we continue doing all we can to get those who are eligible vaccinated,” County Executive Dr. Sam Page said Monday morning.

The new mask mandate will effectively replace a mask requirement that went into effect July 26 and was challenged in court.

“Masking and social distancing remain important protective behaviors,” Dr. Page said. “Masks work and are helping keep our cases from escalating.”

September 1, 2021

St. Louis County COVID-19 Update

DPH Communications Efforts Paying Off

Persuading a county of 1 million residents to change behaviors in a once-in-a-century pandemic is a tall order. But St. Louis County is up to the challenge, County Executive Dr. Sam Page said in a press conference this morning.

Dr. Page invited Spring Schmidt, deputy director of the Department of Public Health, to provide an update on DPH’s communications efforts in the pandemic. According to Schmidt:

• DPH has created and disseminated public service videos, graphics, posters, flyers and other materials across the County encouraging vaccination and other crucial public health actions.
• The department has conducted and arranged dozens of interviews with regional media partners.
• Digital advertising connected to the ReviveSTL vaccine hesitancy campaign has reached more than 566,500 County residents so far, making nearly 8.8 million distinct impressions (chances to be seen).
• More than 84 percent of County residents who clicked on a ReviveSTL video watched it to completion.
• Television, radio and print advertising from the campaign is projected to have made more than 30 million impressions.
• More than 25,000 people have visited the new ReviveSTL.com website. African American audiences have been three times more likely to navigate to the site’s vaccination scheduling page than other users, and the numbers are growing.
• DPH has launched the Barber Shop and Beauty Salon Initiative focused on North County small businesses, visiting 39 businesses and distributing hundreds of flyers and posters encouraging vaccinations.
• The department has also created and distributed informational videos and conducted virtual town hall meetings involving church leaders and medical professionals in its Faith-Based Initiative.
• County vaccination rates are rising faster in our most vulnerable communities than countywide. Our six priority zip codes in North County have seen an average 8.2 percent increase in vaccination rate compared to the countywide average of 6.3 percent. 

A copy of Schmidt’s presentation from this morning’s press conference is attached. 

County Executive Press Conference

 
Wednesday's press conference by County Executive Dr. Sam Page and Spring Schmidt, deputy director of the Department of Public Health can be found here : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0pRDOHliKw​

Holiday Closure

Reminder: There will be no update on Monday, September 6, as St. Louis County offices will be closed in observance of Labor Day. 

​