On Monday, St. Louis County Executive Dr. Sam Page said that there is still too much COVID-19 virus circulating in the community to lift the safer at home order that was put into place four weeks ago. The county public health department will monitor data with the St. Louis Metropolitan Pandemic Task Force over the next two weeks.
The safer at home order asks St. Louis county residents to stay at home except for when running essential errands, like going to the doctor, shopping for food, or working. Page encouraged older adults in the county to have their groceries and other essential items delivered if possible.
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The order limits the number of people who can gather at a private residence to 10 or fewer. It also bans indoor dining in county restaurants, though outdoor dining and takeout are still allowed. Indoor dining does contribute to the spread of COVID-19, Page said.
“Throughout the pandemic, we have had to make difficult decisions,” Page said, citing the lack of uniform restrictions statewide. Page said that COVID-19 case numbers have been plateauing for the past three or four days, but officials are not yet sure if this is a trend. Page said that essential, too, would be a decrease in hospitalizations.
Three million doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine will be delivered across the country this week. Officials are not yet sure when doses will be available for the general public here in St. Louis, but storage accommodations have been made.
Still, Page said, the county is months away from relaxing restrictions like wearing a mask or social distancing. Page said that it will be well into the spring before enough people have been vaccinated against COVID-19 to slow or stop the spread of the virus.
You can watch the full press conference below:
