ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — St. Louis County's stay-at-home order will likely be extended into May, County Executive Sam Page said during his regular coronavirus briefing on Wednesday.
Page said there is no exact date yet, but he may make an announcement later this week.
"We are currently in discussion with our regional partners," Page said. "I would expect from those discussions, the stay-at-home order will be extended into May."
He also said he wants to ensure people with chronic health conditions, many of whom live in the ZIP codes in north St. Louis County, are not forgotten.
"We know that it has a disproportionate impact on our African American community," Page said. "For too long, this segment of our community has been left behind and we cannot happen with this COVID infection."
The county executive also said the county has formed a "high-risk task force," that would respond to nursing homes or assisted living facilities when a COVID-19 case is reported.
"We send our high-risk task force immediately to make sure they have PPE, to make sure they have good procedures in place and to test everyone who has a potential to be exposed," Page said.
Page also said he is not considering reopening the county parks, which have been closed since April 3. Google analytics showed the parks were overcrowded and it was difficult for people to practice social distancing. Also, some park rangers have become infected and there is not enough staffing.
"We are still on the rising side of the curve we are not out of the woods," Page said. "This is not the time to ease social distancing. If we ease our social distancing order too soon, we could rebound."
