NCDHHS Announces First Flu Deaths of Season, Encourages Vaccines and Preventive Measures
Two adults in the western part of the state died due to complications of influenza during the third and fourth weeks of October. One person had tested positive for both influenza and COVID-19.
What is North Carolina seeing in its COVID-Like Illnesses (CLI) surveillance systems?
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) said on their website that they are using all available tools to monitor the spread of COVID-19 across the state. In addition to tracking and reporting of laboratory-confirmed cases, NCDHHS is using many of the same systems that are used to track influenza and other respiratory illnesses each season.
COVID-19 illness presents with symptoms similar to influenza-like illness, so surveillance systems that have historically been used during influenza seasons are being used to track trends of mild COVID-19 illness and allow for comparison with prior influenza seasons. A major limitation: These numbers represent only people seeking care in the Emergency Department (ED).
Yesterday NCDHHS reported two flu-related deaths, the first of the 2023-24 flu season. Two adults in the western part of the state died due to complications of influenza during the third and fourth weeks of October. One person had tested positive for both influenza and COVID-19. To protect the privacy of both families, additional information will not be released, NCDHHS said. State data shows one person was between the ages of 25 and 49, while the second person was 65 or older.
"We know both flu and COVID-19 can lead to severe complications and even death in some cases," said state epidemiologist Zack Moore, M.D., MPH. "As flu season ramps up and COVID-19 is still circulating, it is very important for people to get their annual vaccines, practice good hand hygiene and stay home when sick."
Influenza, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are all circulating now and are expected to increase over the coming months. Vaccinations are the best way to prevent serious illness, hospitalization, and death from these infections, NCDHHS said. “Vaccinations are especially important for those at higher risk of severe viral respiratory disease, including people 65 years and older, children younger than 5, pregnant women, those with a weakened immune system and those with certain medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease and obesity,” the release said.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends all people aged six months and older receive a fall COVID-19 vaccine and seasonal flu vaccine. RSV vaccinations are also available to protect older adults and pregnant women during weeks 32 through 36 of pregnancy to protect infants. Parents should talk with their healthcare provider about other options to protect infants from severe RSV disease.
"Like the annual flu shot, the fall COVID-19 vaccine provides the most up-to-date protection against the COVID-19 virus and will help us prepare for seasonal viruses that disrupt our lives,” said Dr. Elizabeth Cuervo Tilson, state health director and NCDHHS Chief Medical Officer in a September press release. “We encourage everyone to talk with a health care provider about all recommended vaccines. Protect your family so you can enjoy the activities, sports, school and time with loved ones this fall and winter.”
Flu and COVID-19 vaccinations are available at pharmacies, private medical offices, some federally qualified healthcare centers, and local health departments. To find flu or COVID-19 vaccines near you, visit vaccines.gov.
In addition to vaccines, NCDHHS said the following precautions should be taken to protect against the spread of respiratory viruses:
Regularly clean your hands with hand sanitizer or soap and water to prevent the spread of viruses to others
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated
Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue and then discard the tissue promptly
Stay home when sick, except to seek medical care or testing, and take steps to avoid spreading infection to others in your home, including:
Staying in a separate room from other household members, if possible
Using a separate bathroom, if possible
Avoiding contact with other members of the household and pets
Not sharing personal household items, like cups, towels, and utensils
Wearing a mask when around other people
Detailed information about actions you can take to protect yourself and others can be found here.
You cannot tell the difference between flu and COVID-19 by the symptoms alone. Early testing and treatment with an antiviral drug can help prevent flu and COVID-19 infections from becoming more serious. Treatment is especially important for those who are at high risk of serious complications based on their age or medical conditions, the release said.
More information about how to access testing and treatment for COVID-19 can be found on the NCDHHS COVID-19 website.
A respiratory virus surveillance summary that includes information on COVID-19, RSV, and flu-related activity is updated weekly at covid19.ncdhhs.gov/dashboard.
For a limited time, the federal government says free COVID test kits may be ordered at covid.gov/tests. The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) is shipping the free COVID-19 tests from a $600 million investment from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR).
The USPS has sporadically been taking orders for free COVID-19 tests since January 2022, delivering four rounds, totaling 20 free tests for each household. The federal government first paused the program in September 2022 when it ran out of tests and funding, then restarted it in December and halted it again after the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency in May this year.
Cops & Congress by Annie Dance is a service journalism newsletter, focusing on police, policy, and public records in the Lake Lure, NC area. It is free to read, but it is not free to produce. Please click on the button below to support my work.
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