Matifadza Hlatshwayo Davis

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

The St. Louis Department of Health this week launched HealthStopSTL.com, a website that pulls together information about HIV and other sexually transmitted infections in one place.

The St. Louis Department of Health will soon hire 14 new staff members to create the bureau, which will address the lack of treatment options for drug addiction and mental health problems.

St. Louis is seeing rising numbers of coronavirus cases, and the city’s health director is again considering recommending public health measures, including mask requirements, to protect people from the virus.

The St. Louis mandate that requires people to wear masks in public indoor spaces is scheduled to expire late Sunday, but local officials still recommend masking in crowded areas.

Dr. Mati Hlatshwayo Davis, St. Louis' health director, on Monday told the Board of Aldermen’s Health and Human Services Committee that city officials could drop mask requirements, given new CDC guidance. But Hlatshwayo Davis said she would continue to recommend that people wear a mask indoors.

Dr. Mati Hlatshwayo Davis said the state’s actions on COVID and funding for public health are hurting efforts to curb COVID, especially among communities of color.

The peak of the omicron wave was three times higher than last winter’s surge, despite the widespread availability of vaccines.

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.

The daily number of new coronavirus cases in the St. Louis region is reaching a level not seen since January. Hospitals also are reporting an increase in COVID-19 patients.