COVID-19 Information & Updates

Slow the Spread of COVID-19

St. Louis County Department of Public Health's recommended preventative actions required to help slow the spread of COVID-19:

• Those feeling ill should stay home to protect others in the community.
• Washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• People at higher risk include those:
• Over 60 years of age
• With underlying health conditions including include heart disease, lung disease, or diabetes
• With weakened immune systems
• Who are pregnant

Coronavirus News & Information from the St. Louis County Executive & Department of Public Health

March 31, 2020

St. Louis County Department of Public Health COVID-19 Update

Late on 3/30/2020, St. Louis County Department of Public Health (DPH) received notification of a death of a 50-59 year old female with chronic medical conditions. This is the third death in St. Louis County.

DPH has been closely monitoring this outbreak and has done so with the limitations in our public health and healthcare systems’ capacity to obtain notifications as rapidly as we would like. The healthcare community is working together to ensure the most expeditious notification processes.

Moving forward, DPH will require any laboratory company or healthcare provider who receives a positive test result for COVID-19 to report that finding to DPH immediately, but not later than six hours after notification of the result. Additionally, healthcare providers will be required to report a death, if that death is caused by or from complications of COVID-19, to DPH immediately, but not later than twenty-four hours after the time of such death.

These changes should expedite the process and minimize confusion, while continuing to provide the public with the best information available.

Daily Briefs

As these daily briefs are no longer dependent on receiving statistical information later in the day, they will be provided earlier, with the goal of 11:30 AM.

We will attempt to focus efforts on providing emerging information, noteworthy trends, or other remarkable topics.

Dashboard

The dashboard located at www.stlcorona.com has a tab labeled “Educational Materials.” That folder contains a wealth of information. Please use, distribute, and share the information as widely as possible. The more people that consume it, the more lives that can potentially be saved. There is basic information, cleaning recommendations, stress and coping literature, and information for those individuals and professions that will be most impacted by COVID-19.

Contact Information

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services hotline can be reached at (877) 435-8411.

St. Louis County has created a website dedicated to the dissemination of information relating to COVID-19, www.stlcorona.com. Please visit that website or those belonging to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) or the World Health Organization (WHO) for the most current and reputable information.

Updated as of 3/20/2020

Missouri has been approved for the U.S. Small Business Administration Disaster Loan Fund.

http://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

What is the Coronavirus (COVID-19)?

Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases

The virus that causes COVID-19 is infecting people and spreading easily from person-to-person. Cases have been detected in most countries worldwide and community spread is being detected in a growing number of countries. On March 11, the COVID-19 outbreak was characterized as a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Different parts of the country are seeing different levels of COVID-19 activity. The United States nationally is currently in the initiation phases, but states where community spread is occurring are in the acceleration phase. The duration and severity of each phase can vary depending on the characteristics of the virus and the public health response.

How it Spreads

• The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person - between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet), or through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
• People are thought to be the most contagious when they are most symptomatic. Some spread might be possible before people show symptoms, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.
• It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it, and then touching their face. This is NOT thought to be the main way the virus spreads. 

Symptoms

The following symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure:

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath

If you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19, get medical attention immediately. Emergency warning signs include*:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• New confusion or inability to arouse
• Bluish lips or face

*This list is not all inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning.

Should I Be Worried? 

• If you have not travelled from one of the areas currently flagged by the CDC or have not been in close contact with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 and is feeling unwell, the immediate risk of being exposed to the virus causing COVID-19 is thought to be low. It is important that St. Louis County residents pay attention to the Department of Public Health and CDC updates for latest information.
• Most people recover from the disease without needing special treatment. Some patients who get COVID-19 become seriously ill and develop difficulty breathing. Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like high blood pressure, heart problems or diabetes, are more likely to develop serious illness. Few of the reported cases have resulted in a death. People with fever, cough, difficulty breathing, and a reason to believe they’ve been exposed should seek medical attention.

What You Can Do

There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19. The best way to prevent the illness is to avoid exposure. 

• Clean your hands often. Wash with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, sneezing, or having touched surfaces in a public place.
• Avoid touching your face, nose, eyes, mouth, etc. 
• Maintain social distancing (about 3 feet) between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
• Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing. 
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, phones, watches, keyboards, etc. 

What to Do if You Feel Sick

St. Louis County emergency operations has established a hotline number at (314) 615-2660. Please call if you believe you are symptomatic or have any questions regarding the virus. 

If you have respiratory or flu-like symptoms, the following steps should be taken:

• Call your primary care physician’s office or local clinic immediately. Your doctor will determine if you have signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and whether you should be tested
• Stay home except to get medical care. Do not go to work, school, or public areas if you are feeling sick. Avoid using public transportation

If you have severe symptoms, such as persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion or inability to arouse, or bluish lips or face, the following steps should be taken:

• Contact your healthcare provider or emergency room and seek care immediately

What resources are available from St. Louis County? 

• Guidance for the general public, churches, schools, businesses, and community organizations on how to prevent the spread of germs and diseases.
• Regular updates on COVID-19 from the state and federal government.
• Health education and promotional materials to help promote hand washing, Cover Your Cough, and other community messages.
• Assistance with emergency planning and preparation.
• Literature and information for vulnerable populations.
• St. Louis County clinics can provide medical care to all County residents, regardless of ability to pay. Call 314-615-0500 if you do not have a doctor.

List of Resources 

Saint Louis County Coronavirus

CDC Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

CDC Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) FAQs

World Health Organizaiton Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Outbreak

St. Louis County Hotline - (314) 615-2660

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Hotline - (877) 435-8411