Dr. John Paschen, chairman of the Story County Board of Well being, stated that whereas he stays uncertain as to what the vacation and flu season will carry, one of the simplest ways to mitigate the unfold of COVID-19 is to be vaccinated and to obtain the booster shot if eligible. He additionally advisable that households keep away from gatherings of 15 or extra folks and put on masks whereas inside and in public.
Steve Sullivan, the director of promoting and group relations at Mary Greeley Medical Heart, echoed Paschen’s phrases.
“Get vaccinated and get the booster,” Sullivan stated. “Being totally vaccinated is your finest safety towards COVID-19.”
Sullivan additionally talked about the significance of getting the influenza vaccine.
“COVID-19 isn’t going away anytime quickly,” Sullivan stated. “The method of flu season is all of the extra purpose to get vaccinated for COVID and the flu.”
In line with Paschen, whereas he’s hoping for a light season, it’s nonetheless unknown what Story County can count on from the flu season concerning will increase in influenza and COVID-19 circumstances.
“Final yr influenza was remarkable,” Paschen stated. “Nonetheless, everybody was masking and staying away from different folks. Not a lot this yr. We have now already seen, with our few circumstances, greater than we now have seen all final yr.”
Sullivan stated that regardless of what the flu and vacation seasons have in retailer, he’s assured that Mary Greeley Medical Heart can be ready to deal with all sufferers. In line with him, whereas it’s a problem, the Mary Greeley workforce works to at all times keep ready.
“After virtually two years of coping with the impression of the pandemic, we’re very ready to answer the fluctuating waves of COVID-19 sufferers,” Sullivan stated. “We have now specified models, together with our ICU, which might be skilled in offering excellent care to those sufferers.”
Sullivan additionally talked about that if there’s one other surge of COVID-19 circumstances, whether or not that features Delta and Omicron variant circumstances, Mary Greeley Medical Heart is definite they’ll have sufficient assets to deal with all circumstances.
“We’ve turn into very adept at planning for potential surges,” Sullivan stated. “We continuously monitor provides, each when it comes to stock and availability. We have now contingency plans ought to the variety of sufferers exceed our capability.”
Paschen stated he’s satisfied that Story County will be capable to deal with any curve ball the season and COVID-19 throws their manner.
“I’ve been very pleased with Story County’s response to COVID,” Paschen stated. “We have now had an exceptional response from our Public Well being Division, our Board of Supervisors, in addition to our medical institution.”
He additionally stated whereas the Story County medical system has been busy with a gradual seven to 9 p.c of optimistic COVID-19 exams, they’ve been capable of deal with every little thing nicely. However, based on Paschen, this can be topic to vary contemplating the Omicron variant.
“We’re not positive right now if the Omicron variant will trigger extra illness and thus extra hospitalizations, than the Delt[a] variant,” Paschen stated. “We do really feel it will likely be extra contagious and whereas getting vaccinated will assist, we nonetheless would not have a sign how a lot it’s going to assist.”
COVID-19 resources and tips for the holiday and flu seasons | News - lkblue
In line with Dr. John Paschen, one of the simplest ways to guard your self and your loved ones members this vacation season is to get the COVID-19 vaccination and booster shot. Courtesy of Daniel Schludi on Unsplash Whereas the vacation season can carry hi
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