DPH COVID-19 Update 3/16/2020

St. Louis County Department of Public Health COVID-19 Update March 16, 2020

Today, as of 3:00 PM, the St. Louis County Department of Public Health (DPH) has:

• 14 tests with pending results.
• Four tests were sent 3/15/2020 and three thus far on 3/16/2020.
• 19 tests have returned negative results.
• Two positive cases, one reported on 3/7/2020 and one reported on 3/13/2020.

Please note that these tests only reflect those conducted at the State Public Health Laboratory. The availability and accessibility of commercial labs has and will continue to affect the reliability of the actual numbers.

As of March 14th, all presumed positive tests will be considered confirmed positive. The Missouri State Laboratory will no longer require presumed positive tests be sent to the Centers for Disease Control for that additional level of confirmation.

Mental Health: Managing Anxiety and Stress

The outbreak of COVID-19 may be stressful for people. Fear and anxiety about a disease can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in adults and children. Coping with stress will make you, the people you care about, and your community stronger. Everyone reacts differently to stressful situations.

Stress during an infectious disease outbreak can include:

• Fear and worry about your own health and the health of your loved ones
• Changes in sleep or eating patterns
• Difficulty sleeping or concentrating
• Worsening of chronic health problems
• Increased use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs

There are many things you can do to support your child during this time, as they may be influenced by inaccurate or false information.

• Take time to talk with your child or teen about the COVID-19 outbreak. Answer questions and share facts about COVID-19 in a way that your child or teen can understand.
• Reassure your child or teen that they are safe. Let them know it is ok if they feel upset. Share with them how you deal with your own stress so that they can learn how to cope from you.
• Limit your family’s exposure to news coverage of the event, including social media. Children may misinterpret what they hear and can be frightened about something they do not understand.
• Try to keep up with regular routines and with schools closed, create a schedule for learning activities and relaxing or fun activities.
• Be a role model. Take breaks, get plenty of sleep, exercise, and eat well. Also, consider connecting with your friends and family members virtually.

Contact Information

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services hotline can be reached at (877) 435-8411.

St. Louis County has created a website dedicated to the dissemination of information relating to COVID-19, stlcorona.com. Please visit that website or those belonging to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) or the World Health Organization (WHO) for the most current and reputable information.