Missouri State DHSS Hotline 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. 877-435-8411
Text STLOUISCOALERT to 67283
We should not take solace in the fact that only seven new cases are being reported today. The manner in which the numbers will be reported moving forward is changing to streamline the process. The practice will bring local health departments to a consistent level of the timing and reporting of the numbers. Today, 3/24/2020, should be the first and only day this issue occurs.
Today, as of 5:00 PM, the St. Louis County Department of Public Health (DPH) has:
We should not take solace in the fact that only seven new cases are being reported today. The manner in which the numbers will be reported moving forward is changing to streamline the process. The practice will bring local health departments to a consistent level of the timing and reporting of the numbers. Today, 3/24/2020, should be the first and only day this issue occurs.
Due to the volume of results now available, the ability to provide data on each positive case has diminished.
Filters are in place to ensure an expedited testing process for those that meet the necessary criteria. Citizens must call prior to arriving at any testing facility. This is to ensure that individuals are filtered to the next step, if any, appropriately. An operator will transfer them to a screener to get authorization for testing and provide further instruction.
Phone numbers are associated with physical location of that citizen. A map attached to this email displays this. Those numbers are:
North County – (314) 653-5000
Mid County – (314) 747-3000
West County – (314) 251-0500
South County – (314) 966-9107
Additionally, all SSM Health area hospitals can be reached for testing information at www.ssmhealth.com/covid19.
These processes are in place to ensure that medical professionals, facilities, and supplies are not inundated and exhausted unnecessarily. Furthermore, it reduces the time and manner that people that potentially have COVID-19 are in public.
The criteria for testing has changed as a result of this pandemic evolving. The new testing criteria is less focused on travel and more focused on symptoms. This is a consequence of clear evidence of community transmission being present in St. Louis County. The criteria now requires:
Please note that each of those require symptoms. Again, symptoms are fever, cough, and shortness of breath.
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.