HILLSBORO, Mo. (KMOX) - Jefferson County is heating up in the pandemic, turning from "Yellow" to "Orange" status as of Wednesday, meaning "HIGH RISK" according to the County's Dial Status. The change for the worse comes as the 7-day rolling average of new coronavirus cases exceeds 10 per 100,000 residents. The Jefferson County Health Department reports 10.41 new infections per day, with a test positivity rate of 9.66%.
"We've been in Yellow status for about nine weeks, so this is the first time we've been in Orange since the end of April," Department Communications Officer Brianne Zwiener said of the change. "We know that our vaccination rate in Jefferson County is a bit lower than we'd like to see it. Obviously, with the Delta variant, that has a higher transmissibility."
The JCHD just confirmed the first case of the Delta variant on Wednesday.
The bottom line is vaccination rates have really tapered off, leaving about 70% of the county's population still vulnerable. While cases and hospitalizations are climbing elsewhere in Missouri, the worst cases have yet to affect Jefferson County. With deaths remaining low, the concern is people have tired of battling against the virus.
The jump to Orange Status does not come with any different protocols or restrictions.
"We really try to strive for, get your vaccine, wear the mask, wash your hands. Put as many prevention layers in place as you can and that will, hopefully, slow the spread," Zwiener says.
The Department's phrase they're pushing for the public is simple, "Vaxed or Masked."
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