New COVID-19 restrictions loom in St. Louis County. 'One last chance,' Page warns

ST. LOUIS COUNTY — County Executive Sam Page on Monday warned that tighter COVID-19 restrictions will be necessary if case numbers don't turn around, as Missouri once again reported a record number of hospitalized virus patients.

The county's hospitals are nearly full, and the health department is overwhelmed and exhausted, Page said during a briefing.

"If this doesn't change a week or two from now, and we are standing here with the same rate of increase, then we will have to be considering more restrictions," Page said. "We have one last chance to slow the cases of COVID-19 in our community before we are forced to take action."

Missouri on Monday reported 2,016 hospitalized COVID-19 patients, a record number, and the first time it has surpassed 2,000. Missouri hospitalization data lags three days, and not every hospital reports every day.

The state also reported 3,244 new cases of the virus, bringing the total to 212,441 cases since the beginning of the pandemic.

In order to avoid large outbreaks, Page asked county residents to each identify a small group, of 10 people or less, who they will regularly come into contact with. He asked that residents limit their personal interactions to this group, and wear a mask and social distance even when meeting with that small circle. If one member of the group gets sick, everyone must be notified, so they can self-quarantine and get tested.

"You must be able to do your own contact tracing," Page said. Public health officials are going to dedicate their time to contact tracing for the most vulnerable populations.

The county is recommending that anyone who has traveled or attended an event or gathering recently should self-quarantine for 14 days.

Page said the health department learned of a Halloween party, attended by as many as 200 people, that took place at the home of a De Smet High School student. Five students who attended have tested positive, Page said, and two others have symptoms and are awaiting test results.

Page said every person who attended the party needs to get tested and self-quarantine. The health department will contact school nurses at the all-girls Cor Jesu Academy and Notre Dame High School to ask for their help tracking people who may have attended.