Coronavirus

In the past week, the region’s four largest hospital systems have admitted about 40 new patients a day, according to the St. Louis Metropolitan Pandemic Task Force. That’s down from a high of around 80 people a day in August.

For those who want their loved ones to be safe from the virus, trying to persuade people to get the shot is frustrating but not impossible.

Making COVID-19 vaccines mandatory for workers at St. Louis hospitals has not sparked a mass exodus. Hospital officials in St. Louis say the vast majority of their employees have gotten the vaccine by the fall deadlines administrators set earlier this summer.

All active-duty soldiers in the Army are required to get the shot, and those who don’t will face disciplinary action.

COVID-19 killed more than 1,300 St. Louis County residents last year, comprising about 11% of all deaths. Only heart disease and cancer killed more people. North St. Louis County residents had the highest COVID-19 mortality rate.

Doctors want as many people as possible to get the flu vaccine before this year's season begins. Unlike last year, they're predicting a bad flu season now that many people are taking fewer precautions against the coronavirus.

Only 45,000 of Missouri adults who received the vaccine since the state announced its vaccine lottery have entered the statewide drawing. That's fewer than 15% of the more than 600,000 people in total who have entered the drawing for $10,000 prizes, which ends next month. Still, the state health director calls the vaccination lottery a success.

U.S. Rep. Cori Bush has introduced a bill that would give federal health officials the authority to implement federal eviction bans during a public health crisis.

School districts in the St. Louis Metro are experiencing a staffing, supply and teacher shortage that’s grown with the coronavirus pandemic.

The ransomware group known as Hive has stolen confidential patient information from Sikeston-based Missouri Delta Medical Center, including Social Security numbers and medical information.