St. Louis County Department of Public Health

Three years into the COVID pandemic, some St. Louis-area hospitals have decided to drop mask requirements, citing decreased infection levels.

Missouri requires people who want the monkeypox vaccine to fill out an online form disclosing their sexual identities and behavior. The form aims to ensure limited amounts of vaccine get to those who are most at risk. But some LGBTQ advocates worry the screenings could discourage people from getting vaccinated.

An updated COVID-19 vaccine booster shot is hitting shelves in the St. Louis region this week after the federal government approved the shots for emergency use. Area health officials and doctors say everyone who can should get the updated booster, even if they’ve received the vaccine or previous boosters in the past.

Two dozen cases of monkeypox have been reported in Missouri, with about one-third of those cases in St. Louis. While the state’s case count is much lower than in Illinois, New York and other states with higher populations, health officials are trying to keep the virus from spreading through education and prevention.

Earlier this month, federal officials recommended the COVID-19 vaccine for that age group after the Food and Drug Administration determined it was safe and effective. Doses of the vaccine, scaled down in size for smaller children, began arriving in St. Louis late last week.

St. Louis County’s Department of Public Health director is stepping down from his post in early September. The county will search for a new leader before his departure.

St. Louis County is on track to see 3,000 patients this year for mental health treatment, up from 2,300 last year. County Executive Sam Page wants to use federal coronavirus relief money and funds from a large settlement to help the demand.

Health officials say people in the St. Louis region should expect to live with the threat of the coronavirus. To help, the St. Louis and St. Louis County health departments have released “Living With COVID-19," a plan for people, businesses and government agencies.

St. Louis-area testing sites are reporting a spike in demand before the holiday weekend, and clinic operators say it may be difficult for residents to find an appointment.

Many parents hurried to get their children the COVID-19 vaccine earlier this month after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention approved it for ages 5 through 11. St. Louis area health officials say there's more than enough to go around.