Although daily updates about COVID-19 transmission rates, sickness and deaths have evolved to weekly and now monthly updates, Granville-Vance Health Director Lisa Harrison’s updates have become regular reminders that although vaccines have reduced the threat of severe illness and worse in the community, the transmission rate in Vance County remains high.
In the latest update, Harrison is quick to point out that health professionals are still dealing with COVID-19 and its repercussions, despite the fact that so much of society has opted for a return to almost normal life.
“Although there is some confusion in the news lately about whether we are still in a pandemic or not, the World Health Organization is the entity that gets to declare when the pandemic is over,” Harrison wrote. In the U.S. and in North Carolina, she added, health officials are more confident in their ability to effectively fight COVID-19.
But we’re entering that time of year where folks are rolling up their sleeves for the seasonal flu shot. Harrison said it’s important to consider getting a COVID-19 booster as well.
“An updated COVID-19 booster is now available for people 12 and older, two months after they finish their primary series, and/or two months after illness from COVID-19. It offers the most up-to-date protection against the latest Omicron variants. Omicron is the most common form of COVID-19 in circulation so this new booster identifies variants related to Omicron,” Harrison stated in the weekly update.
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Whether it’s COVID-19, or the flu, or just the common cold, Harrison said it bears repeating a few simple actions that can reduce spread of any virus germs:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact such as kissing, hugging, and sharing cups or eating utensils with people who are sick, and when you are sick.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your upper shirt sleeve, not your hands.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces, such as toys and doorknobs, especially if someone is sick.
- Consider wearing a mask around other people if you have respiratory symptoms.
- Contact a healthcare provider immediately if you or your child has trouble breathing or has a sudden onset of limb weakness.
- Ensure you or your child are following an up-to-date asthma action plan if you or your child have asthma.
- Stay home when you are sick. Let me say that again: Stay home when you are sick. One more time for those in the back: Stay home when you are sick.
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