COVID-19

In an interview with St. Louis Public Radio on Wednesday, Gov. Parson explained his priorities on spending federal dollars, congressional redistricting and the COVID-19 pandemic as the 2022 legislative session began.

Dr. Mati Hlatshwayo Davis joined “St. Louis on the Air” with an update on the ongoing pandemic — and shared what keeps her going in an incredibly challenging job.

St. Louis hospitals are canceling procedures, shuffling an overburdened workforce and pleading with the public to wear masks and get vaccinated as they fill with COVID-19 patients.

The county council voted 4-3 along party lines to approve the mask requirement that takes effect Wednesday.

Health workers are treating more than 1,020 people with COVID-19 inside St. Louis hospitals, the highest number of inpatient hospitalizations since the pandemic began. The task force reported 61 patients 18 and younger are hospitalized with the disease.

Belleville Township High School, East St. Louis, Edwardsville, Brooklyn and some private schools have announced some of their students will return to virtual learning starting this week.

The authorization comes in the midst of an explosion of COVID-19 cases nationwide driven by the omicron variant — a surge that has brought a spike in pediatric hospitalizations.

A resurgence in COVID-19 cases is testing the endurance of health care workers who care for the sickest patients, most of whom are unvaccinated.

Parson cites the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines and the work of health care professionals in his decision that it's no longer necessary "to continue the state of emergency." The Missouri Hospital Association warns failure to extend the order will hamper providers facing staff shortages.

St. Louis venues and promoters are canceling New Year’s Eve concerts and parties as coronavirus cases climb in the city.