Last fall, health officials at all levels — local, state and federal — mentioned fears of having to battle big numbers of both coronavirus and influenza infections at the same time. That has not developed as expected, much to the relief of health officials like Lyon County Public Health Emergency Preparedness Director Jennifer Millbern.
Health officials have been touting the use of masks and six-foot social distancing bubbles since the coronavirus pandemic started, and state and national health officials agree with Millbern in that they are effective in combating the flu.
Millbern says Public Health has not had any positive flu cases in its clinic or with any of the samples it has sent to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. She cautions there may be some flu cases that have been diagnosed at other clinics.
Nationally, flu activity is abnormally low, with Oklahoma being the only state with low activity as of Jan. 23. All other states, including Kansas, are noting minimal activity. The flu season is typically quite active at this time of year and runs through at least March.
Health officials are asking residents not to let down their guard, either with COVID-19 or with flu. Both have common symptoms, including fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headache, muscle pain and fatigue. COVID symptoms typically develop one to three days later than flu and COVID patients often lose their sense of taste or smell.
