After a sharp surge in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations across the nation, the rate of infection is declining in the St. Louis region. But across Missouri, particularly in rural areas, case levels and hospitalizations remain near record highs. Even if cases continue to drop, hospitals could be strained for weeks, so residents should remain vigilant, according to WashU Medicine infectious diseases doctors. Vaccinations and continued public health measures can help case rates decline.
This week, there were 1,194 COVID-19 patients at BJC HealthCare, Mercy, SSM Health and St. Luke’s Hospital systems, down from the record of 1,444 reported on Jan. 17, according to the data from the St. Louis Metropolitan Pandemic Task Force. See related article in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.