Lyon County health officials have been worried about ongoing coronavirus trends for several weeks now, and Public Health Emergency Preparedness Director Jennifer Millbern’s appearance on KVOE’s Newsmaker segment this week was no exception.
Millbern cited the overall increase of cases and recent spikes in the number of active cases, hospitalizations and deaths, as reasons for concern. Better than half the current cases are in long-term care clusters, both in patients and staff, but Millbern says the ongoing trend continues to demonstrate community spread. The overall trend also shows two very different approaches to Public Health’s guidance on mask usage and social distancing.
Millbern says this does not bode well for restarting school and related activities across the county over the next month.
Millbern says people need to “take ownership” of their health if they are taking part in large-scale activities, meaning they pay attention to symptoms and self-report if they are feeling ill.
Recently, health officials across the area and country have mentioned concerns about a second wave of COVID-19 taking place simultaneously with the onset of flu later this year. Because the two diseases have similar symptoms and because of the possible strain on hospital facilities if both diseases flare up at the same time, Millbern says people need to get their flu vaccines when those become available soon and take other common-sense steps to stay healthy.
Public Health is offering drive-thru clinics — with health referrals needed — on weekdays at this time. Hours are 9 am to noon and 1-4 pm Mondays through Thursdays and 9 am to noon Fridays.
