Week 16 Respiratory Update

COVID19 Data Dashboard: COVID-19 Data — Jefferson County Health Department (jeffcohealth.org)

Week 16 Respiratory Report: 2023_Week16_JCHDRespiratoryReport.pdf (squarespace.com)

Influenza Summary: This week, we are reporting two additional flu cases for a season total of 3,532 cases. There are 6 flu deaths reported this season. Flu vaccination is the best way to prevent the spread of flu. CDC recommends everyone 6 months and older get an annual flu vaccine especially those at a higher risk of serious complications.

COVID-19 Summary: This week, we are reporting 69 new COVID cases, an increase in cases from last week, for a season total of 5,675. There are three additional COVID deaths, bringing the season total to 51 COVID deaths. Currently, Jefferson County is in the LOW COMMUNITY LEVEL (green). Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, including recommended booster doses. Maintain ventilation improvements. Avoid contact with people who have suspected or confirmed COVID-19. Follow recommendations for isolation if you have suspected or confirmed COVID-19. Follow the recommendations for what to do if you are exposed to someone with COVID-19. If you are at high risk of getting very sick, talk with a healthcare provider about additional prevention actions.

Week 15 Respiratory Update

COVID19 Data Dashboard: COVID-19 Data — Jefferson County Health Department (jeffcohealth.org)

Week 15 Respiratory Report: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/57f035cc9f745646c52342b9/t/644021d4ce57e41da870948f/1681924564531/2023_Week15_JCHDRespiratoryReport.pdf

Influenza Summary: This week, we are reporting two additional flu cases for a season total of 3,530 cases. There are 6 flu deaths reported this season. Flu vaccination is the best way to prevent the spread of flu. CDC recommends everyone 6 months and older get an annual flu vaccine especially those at a higher risk of serious complications.

COVID-19 Summary: This week, we are reporting 84 new COVID cases, an increase in cases from last week, for a season total of 5,667. There are no additional COVID deaths, keeping the season total to 48 COVID deaths. Currently, Jefferson County is in the LOW COMMUNITY LEVEL (green). Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, including recommended booster doses. Maintain ventilation improvements. Avoid contact with people who have suspected or confirmed COVID-19. Follow recommendations for isolation if you have suspected or confirmed COVID-19. Follow the recommendations for what to do if you are exposed to someone with COVID-19. If you are at high risk of getting very sick, talk with a healthcare provider about additional prevention actions.

Week 14 Respiratory Update

COVID19 Data Dashboard: COVID-19 Data — Jefferson County Health Department (jeffcohealth.org)

Week 14 Respiratory Report: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/57f035cc9f745646c52342b9/t/6437f0514bb0347aca106ac6/1681387602238/2023_Week14_JCHDRespiratoryReport+2023-04-13+12_05_36.pdf

Influenza Summary: This week, we are reporting no additional flu cases for a season total of 3,528 cases. There are 6 flu deaths reported this season. Flu vaccination is the best way to prevent the spread of flu. CDC recommends everyone 6 months and older get an annual flu vaccine especially those at a higher risk of serious complications.

COVID-19 Summary: This week, we are reporting 64 new COVID cases, a decrease in cases from last week, for a season total of 5,604. There are no additional COVID deaths, keeping the season total to 48 COVID deaths. Currently, Jefferson County is in the LOW COMMUNITY LEVEL (green). Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, including recommended booster doses. Maintain ventilation improvements. Avoid contact with people who have suspected or confirmed COVID-19. Follow recommendations for isolation if you have suspected or confirmed COVID-19. Follow the recommendations for what to do if you are exposed to someone with COVID-19. If you are at high risk of getting very sick, talk with a healthcare provider about additional prevention actions.

Week 13 Respiratory Update

COVID19 Data Dashboard: COVID-19 Data — Jefferson County Health Department (jeffcohealth.org)

Week 13 Respiratory Report: 2023_Week13_JCHDRespiratoryReport.pdf (squarespace.com)

Influenza Summary: This week, we are reporting 6 additional flu cases for a season total of 3,528 cases. There are 6 flu deaths reported this season. Flu vaccination is the best way to prevent the spread of flu. CDC recommends everyone 6 months and older get an annual flu vaccine especially those at a higher risk of serious complications.

COVID-19 Summary: This week, we are reporting 95 new COVID cases, a decrease in cases from last week, for a season total of 5,554. There are no additional COVID deaths, keeping the season total to 48 COVID deaths. Currently, Jefferson County is in the LOW COMMUNITY LEVEL (green). Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, including recommended booster doses. Maintain ventilation improvements. Avoid contact with people who have suspected or confirmed COVID-19. Follow recommendations for isolation if you have suspected or confirmed COVID-19. Follow the recommendations for what to do if you are exposed to someone with COVID-19. If you are at high risk of getting very sick, talk with a healthcare provider about additional prevention actions.

Rest Easy: Tips for a Better Night's Sleep

Getting enough sleep is important for your health, mood, and overall brain function. Sleep is also the time that our brains use to repair our bodies systems. Everything from blood vessels to the immune system uses sleep as a time for repair.

While many of us have heard that we all need 8 hours of sleep, the amount actually varies depending on your age. School-age children should strive to get around 9 hours of sleep, teens should aim for 8-10 while most adults should try to get at least 7 hours of sleep each night. It is also a common myth that we can “catch up” on sleep. While staying up late once in a while is fine, but making it a habit to try and fit a weeks’ worth of sleep into your weekend isn’t healthy.

Want to get a better night’s sleep? Try the some of the following:

• Stick to a sleep schedule

  • Go to bed and wake up at the same time, even on weekends or days off

• Get some exercise during the day

  • Exercise can help burn off extra energy and help tire you out at night but exercising close to bedtime can make you feel too energized. Try first thing in the morning or in the afternoon.

• Get outside

  • Try and get at least 30 minutes of natural sunlight a day. This can help you regulate your sleep/wake cycle

• Avoid nicotine and caffeine

  • Both nicotine and caffeine are stimulants that keep you awake. Caffeine can take 6-8 hours to wear off. If you are going to drink a caffeinated beverage, try to only have it in the morning.

• Don’t take naps mid-afternoon

  • Naps too close to bedtime or too long during the day can interrupt your sleeping at night.

• Avoid alcohol and large meals before bedtime

  • These items can both prevent deep restorative sleep

• Limit electronics before bedtime

  • The blue light from electronic devices like your phone can actually make you feel more awake. Try listening to music or reading a book before heading to bed instead.

• Create a good sleeping environment

  • Keep the room cool, dark and free from sounds. Try using blackout curtains, silencing your phone, or getting a white noise machine to help block out noises from neighbors or people in other rooms.

• See your healthcare provider if nothing you try helps

  • Falling asleep and staying asleep should be natural. If you are struggling even after trying some of these tips it may be a good idea to talk to your doctor. They may be able to determine the cause or determine if you need testing for things like insomnia or sleep apnea.

Megan Winkelmann has been a Community Health Educator with the Jefferson County Health Department for just over two years. She attended Truman State University earning a bachelor’s degree in Health Science with a minor in Biology. While working for JCHD she attended A.T. Still University to earn her master’s degree in Public Health. Megan was born and raised in Jefferson County and enjoys creating programs that encourage healthy habits in the place she was raised. Megan likes to spend her free in time in the presence of family and friends.

MCH Publicity Statement: This project is/was funded in part by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Maternal and Child Health Services Contract #AOC18380095, and is/was supported by the Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant #B04MC30623, Maternal and Child Health Services for $12,107,084, of which $0 is from non-governmental sources.  This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government