COVID, flu, RSV taking toll in health district

    Thirty-nine cases of COVID-19 were recorded in the Southwest Nebraska Public Health District in the latest week of reporting, Jan 2-8.
    This is consistent with the average new weekly cases reported for the last two months, according to Myra Stoney, SWNPHD director.
    COVID test positivity rates were between 4% and 6%, but positivity rates have dropped dramatically in the past two months, she said, dipping to about a third of the test positivity rate tracked in mid-November.
    However, she said the winter months have been severe for respiratory illnesses affecting the lungs.
    There were high levels of RSV and flu across the health district, along with the continued presence of COVID-19 cases, all of which have caused deaths, she said.
    Two deaths were due to COVID-19, two deaths due to influenza and one death due to RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) in an adult.
    “The tripledemic reached even us here in rural southwest Nebraska,” Stoney said.
    “Thankfully we continue to see good protection from the flu shot and COVID shots. The chances of getting these illnesses are still there, but you are much less likely to need hospital care for severe illness if you have had a booster shot within the last six months,” she added.
    Updated COVID-19 boosters are available at the SWNPHD offices and many pharmacies across the area.
    According to SWNPHD records, 43% of district residents have received the minimum vaccination dose (one or two shots). About 56% of these persons have received at least one booster dose, including 73% of those aged 60 years and over.