COVID cases jump by 100 in Jefferson County

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The number of COVID-19 caused deaths in Jefferson County increased by two last week.

Health officials announced Thursday afternoon that an unvaccinated woman who was in her 80s had passed away from the disease.

The woman had chronic medical conditions, according to health officials.

It was the second COVID death in the past week, according to Jefferson County Public Health.

Earlier last week, a man in his 80s who was unvaccinated and had chronic health conditions also died of COVID.

The number of those in Jefferson County who have died from the disease remained at 22 Tuesday.

Public Health Officer Dr. Allison Berry said the total number of coronavirus infections in the county had risen to 2,123.

That's an increase of 107 cases since last Friday.

She added that nationwide, there remains an "incredibly high" rate of transmission of COVID-19.

"Currently we are still seeing our cases skyrocketing upward," Berry told county commissioners during their pandemic briefing Tuesday.

Jefferson County has had 92 people hospitalized due to COVID-19. 

Berry said three residents were still in the hospital Tuesday because of infections.

She also discounted the talk she's heard from some that have downplayed the severity of the Omicron variant of COVID-19.

"This is still a very serious virus," Berry said.