Title: COVID-19 Cases and Hospitalizations on the Rise in St. Louis Area
Date: [Current Date]
Source: [News Organization]
After a summer of low COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, the St. Louis area is experiencing a surge in both case numbers and hospitalizations, according to new data. Dr. Hilary Babcock, Chief Quality Officer at BJC HealthCare and a Washington University infectious disease physician, stated that COVID-19 is in the air and that many people have reported cases among their friends and family members. Babcock suggests that individuals experiencing symptoms such as a summer cold, sinus infection, or worsened allergies should get tested and stay home.
The St. Louis County Department of Public Health maintains a regularly updated public dashboard, which reveals a significant increase in new laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 among county residents in recent weeks. On September 2nd, the daily cases reached approximately 150, up from 108 the previous week. The data shows a clear upward trend in case numbers, which were at their lowest in late June and early July.
While the actual number of cases may be higher as many people are using at-home testing kits without reporting the results, Christopher Ave, spokesman for the county health department, emphasizes the importance of tracking the trend. He stated, “The trend is more important than the actual number, and our trend is up.”
BJC HealthCare has also seen an increase in COVID-19 cases among its employees, although the rise in hospitalizations has not been as significant. This reflects the increased immunity in the population due to vaccination and prior infection. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), hospitalizations have been on the rise nationwide as well, with a 61% increase in COVID-19 admissions in Missouri hospitals during the week leading up to August 26th.
Dr. Babcock attributes the rise in cases to several factors, including new variants of the virus, waning immunity, end-of-summer vacations, and students returning to classrooms. She describes the current situation as an “ongoing COVID soup” with multiple variants circulating simultaneously. However, she provides some hope by mentioning that a new COVID-19 booster, designed to better protect against the latest variants, is expected to be available later this month.
The St. Louis County health department continues to offer free vaccines at its clinics and provides free testing for COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses. Health officials stress the importance of staying home when sick, avoiding large indoor gatherings, and wearing masks, especially for those who are vulnerable to severe illness.
In conclusion, while the St. Louis area is experiencing a rise in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, the increasing immunity in the population through vaccination and prior infection is helping to mitigate the severity of illnesses. The availability of a new booster shot provides additional hope for better protection against the latest variants. However, it is crucial for individuals to remain vigilant and follow necessary precautions to prevent the further spread of the virus.