ST. LOUIS COUNTY (KMOX) - St. Louis County Executive Sam Page is focused on mask-wearing, especially with students returning to school in the coming weeks.
"We must protect our children and the unvaccinated from harm and masks are the best way to do this," Page said in a press conference on Monday. "Wearing a mask protects our future. Too many people remain unvaccinated, and our young children are not able to get the vaccine. We must wear masks for them."
He said St. Louis County has the highest number of Covid-related hospitalizations in two months, and more of them are children. On Friday, major hospital systems in the St. Louis area reportedly went from having 13 children hospitalized with COVID to 20.
"Low vaccination rates are driving these numbers," Page says. "Those working in pediatric units are seeing younger patients struggling with the virus. That's why masks are so important for everyone to wear now."
Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital in St. Louis says it's unusually full with young patients for this time of year. Page also noted that in Louisiana there were 3,000 positive COVID-19 tests among children in a four-day period.
In St Louis County, Page says the daily average of new COVID-19 cases is up to 311, which is six times higher than two months ago. As of last week, there 493 COVID-19 hospitalizations in the greater St. Louis area, which is up from 93 about months ago.
Since August 1, there have been six COVID-19 deaths in St. Louis County.
Page called the County Council's decision to rescind his mask mandate a "political decision" and wants them to pass a new mask mandate at Tuesday's meeting.
Related
© 2021 KMOX (Audacy). All rights reserved
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Follow KMOX
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram