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CDC: Get vaccinated by Halloween for maximum protection by at least November
Read full article: CDC: Get vaccinated by Halloween for maximum protection by at least NovemberThe colder months are almost here and so are your chances of getting COVID, Flu, and RSV thatโs why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said itโs important to get your vaccinations.
Cases of COVID-19, flu cases remain high after holiday surge
Read full article: Cases of COVID-19, flu cases remain high after holiday surgeWith the new year came a high number of cases of respiratory illnesses. According to the CDC, in the week ending on Dec. 30, there were more than 1,000 new hospitalizations due to COVID-19.
Callaghan Elementary to be closed Thursday, Friday due to high number of probable flu cases
Read full article: Callaghan Elementary to be closed Thursday, Friday due to high number of probable flu casesAlleghany Highlands Public Schools announced Wednesday evening that Callaghan Elementary will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 3, and Friday, Nov. 4, due to a high number of probable flu cases.
Carilion Clinic, LewisGale report โhigh numberโ of RSV cases in young children
Read full article: Carilion Clinic, LewisGale report โhigh numberโ of RSV cases in young childrenAcross the country, medical professionals are reporting an increase in COVID-19 and flu cases. After two slower seasons, RSV, Respiratory Syncytial Virus, has increased as well.
Carilion Clinic, LewisGale report โhigh numberโ of RSV cases in young children
Read full article: Carilion Clinic, LewisGale report โhigh numberโ of RSV cases in young childrenAcross the country, medical professionals are reporting an increase in COVID-19 and flu cases. After two slower seasons, RSV, Respiratory Syncytial Virus, has increased as well.
Southwest Virginia health leaders urge people to get COVID, flu shots
Read full article: Southwest Virginia health leaders urge people to get COVID, flu shotsWith children going to school, they are encouraging the elderly and those who are immunocompromised to get a COVID and flu shot before the winter months arrive.
Health officials urge public to get their flu shot as Virginia cases labeled as widespread
Read full article: Health officials urge public to get their flu shot as Virginia cases labeled as widespreadFlu season is here and the Virginia Department of Health is already seeing widespread reports of the virus in recent weeks.
Doctors say coronavirus safety precautions may help slow flu outbreaks
Read full article: Doctors say coronavirus safety precautions may help slow flu outbreaksROANOKE, Va. โ In their most recent reporting, the Virginia Department of Health is not showing any influenza activity across the Commonwealth. Last year at this time there was widespread activity in the state, and doctors are crediting the slow spread to coronavirus safeguards. Dr. Baffoe-Bonnie says symptoms are similar between the two with some people experiencing no symptoms at all while infected with COVID-19. However, the things many Americans have grown accustomed to thanks to the coronavirus pandemic are also helping slow the spread: handwashing, social distancing and mask-wearing. โAt this point, vaccine uptake for influenza vaccine has been higher than in typical years,โ stated Dr. Cynthia Morrow, Roanoke City & Allegheny Health District.
Will there be a definitive conclusion to this pandemic? Hereโs how the Spanish flu ended
Read full article: Will there be a definitive conclusion to this pandemic? Hereโs how the Spanish flu endedHere are some key highlights of how the Spanish flu ultimately ended, and how it might correlate to the COVID-19 pandemic. History says the Spanish flu lasted from February 1918 until April 1920, but there wasnโt a definitive statement that the pandemic was over, according to Time. Of course, by then, the Spanish flu did unspeakable damage, infecting 500 million people and killing 50 million. With technology and research being nowhere close to what it is now, there was no waiting around for a vaccine to help quell the Spanish flu. That might have been the case with the Spanish flu, as peopleโs tolerance to the disease and willingness to social distance, wash hands and wear masks throughout increased.
Free flu shots for Bedford County families
Read full article: Free flu shots for Bedford County familiesBEDFORD COUNTY, Va. โ The Bedford County Health Department is offering flu shots to families. Vaccines are free for families with Medicaid and private insurance. Bedford County Public Schools posted about the event on Facebook:"FLU VACCINES FOR FAMILIESTo serve families, the Bedford County Health Department has decided to suspend normal operations on Wednesday, October 21, 2020, to offerflu vaccines for families. Families are encouraged to complete a permission form in advance to expedite the process when arriving at the Health Department. Anyone with questions can contact the Health Department at 540-586-7952.
Franklin County leaders provide COVID-19 update
Read full article: Franklin County leaders provide COVID-19 updateFRANKLIN COUNTY, Va โ Franklin County leaders are urging the community to help keep its coronavirus numbers low as flu season arrives. On Tuesday, the county hosted a roundtable discussion with officials from the Virginia Department of Health. Nancy Bell with the West Piedmont Health District said Franklin County has been doing a great job of keeping COVID-19 cases low but warned that as flu season approaches, people need to stay vigilant to prevent a spike in cases or community spread. Franklin County has had 280 confirmed cases of COVID-19 since March. The county also announced it is hosting several free clinics for people to get their flu shots this year.
When and where to get a free flu shot in Roanoke
Read full article: When and where to get a free flu shot in RoanokeROANOKE, Va. โ Ahead of the start of flu season, Carilion is offering free flu vaccines for those 18 and older. Carilion has partnered with both the Roanoke Public Libraries and the Redevelopment and Housing Authority to offer 14 free flu vaccine clinics in the upcoming weeks. Pre-registration is encouraged and can be done online or by contacting Carilion Direct at (540) 266-6000 or Toll-Free (800) 422-8482.
Flu season and COVID-19 could pack dangerous punch for community
Read full article: Flu season and COVID-19 could pack dangerous punch for communityROANOKE, Va. Healthcare workers are on high alert to see what happens with the coronavirus pandemic this fall, especially with flu season right around the corner. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), during the 2019-2020 flu season, there were up to 56 million flu cases, 740,000 hospitalizations and 62,000 deaths. Aaron Perry, who lives in Roanoke, said he probably wont get the flu shot this year. He said that the number of flu cases were greatly decreased in the Southern Hemisphere, which is just wrapping up its flu season. Nevertheless, he said the flu shot will still decrease the severity of symptoms and reduce the chance of hospitalization.
Itโs not too late: Get your flu shot
Read full article: Itโs not too late: Get your flu shotROANOKE, Va. โ If you havenโt gotten your flu shot this season, doctors say itโs not too late. As of Monday, Carilion doctors had seen around 2,000 cases of the flu. There have been more cases on influenza B than influenza A, but doctors donโt know why. โIt is thought that influenza B affects children more severely. There have been, in the U.S., as far as I can remember, 68 deaths in pediatric populations," Carilion Infection Control Director Dr. Anthony Baffoe-Bonnie said.
Custodial staff disinfects while Bath County schools are closed due to sickness
Read full article: Custodial staff disinfects while Bath County schools are closed due to sicknessBATH COUNTY, Va. โ Custodians were spraying, wiping and mopping in Bath County Public Schools on Tuesday. A number of students and staff are sick, which creates the possibility of staffing issues. Bath County High School Principal, Dr. Michael Perry, is confident his school will be as clean as it can be. โWe keep a very clean school anyway. When the number of reported illnesses in the district rose from 107 Friday to 187 Monday, Bath County Superintendent Sue Hirsh consulted with the regional health department.
Local hospitals implement restrictions as flu cases rise
Read full article: Local hospitals implement restrictions as flu cases riseROANOKE, Va. โ Seasonal influenza precautions were in place as of Monday at Sovah Healthโs Danville and Martinsville campuses. If you are visiting the campuses, the hospital recommends the following:Please limit the number of visitors to three (3) per patient, unless otherwise specified. Centra Lynchburg General Hospital also announced restrictions on visitation during flu season. Monday afternoon, flu recommendations were being finalized for Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital, according to a hospital spokesperson. According to the Virginia Department of Health, as of Dec. 28, the flu was widespread in Virginia.