FARMINGTON – As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to attract the attention of staff and physical care officials across the country, the beginning of autumn means they will soon face a serious challenge: seasonal influenza.
But there is some optimism that precautions many other people take to decrease their chances of getting COVID can simply decrease flu transmission rates in the coming months.
Penny Hill, director of infection prevention and worker fitness at San Juan Regional Medical Center in Farmington, said the flu season in northwestern New Mexico sometimes runs from December to March, some cases from September to May.
He stated that while there was a brief overlap between the start of the pandemic and the end of the flu season last spring, the hospital had no patients who had developed either of the two illnesses at the same time, a condition known as co-infection.
But Dr. Brad Greenberg, medical director of emergency preparedness at the hospital, said there had been cases of co-infection in spaces like China and New York, and that he would be surprised if San Juan County experienced this phenomenon this year.
Greenberg noted that co-infections were related to longer hospitalization of patients and increased mortality, and said there were also indications that co-infected patients excreted COVID-19, i. e. contagious, over a longer period of time than PATIENTS with COVID who had no flu: Initial studies indicate that PATIENTS with COVID-19 are contagious for about 12 days , while co-infected patients excrete the virus for about 17 days.
Greenberg noted that there are still many unknowns about THE COVID-19, and expects fitness professionals to expand it much further in the coming months.
“A lot of the science about why, we’re still there,” he said. “We’ll be very informed this winter. “
Stay up-to-date: Coronavirus updates in San Juan County, Four Corners area
Greenberg noted that there were indications that the recently completed flu season in the southern hemisphere was less severe than overall this year. He said Australia had experienced 450 to 500 fewer flu deaths than in a typical year, which can be attributed to the precautions others People took to avoid contracting COVID-19, adding social est estating, dressed in a face mask, common hands and minimizing their movements.
“There have been far fewer deaths than in the past,” Greenberg said.
David Morgan, spokesman for the New Mexico Department of Health, also took note of the reports.
“It appears that the flu in the southern hemisphere (coming out of its winter) has decreased particularly, probably due to COVID protection practices that also help reduce the transmission of all viral respiratory infections,” he wrote in an email to the Daily. “That said, we take into account how imaginable some other people may have COVID-19 and influenza at the same time and inspire doctors to consider testing both. “
Greenberg described himself as cautiously positive that the widespread adoption of COVID practices through New Mexicons may result in a less severe flu season this year, but noted that this year’s situations are unique and that everyone has some duty for the outcome.
“It’s about choice, ” he said. How we act as a network is the sum of our choices. “
Hill said he sometimes saw an increase in flu cases in the days after Thanksgiving, which he attributes to the fact that many others across the country are on vacation, something that can seamlessly help the virus spread from a hot spot to a region. . previously little or no exposure. He stressed the importance of minimizing this year, but said the most important thing that will contribute to a relatively moderate flu season this year is likely to be the willingness of citizens to get vaccinated.
“I hope everyone can get it seriously,” he said, explaining that if getting vaccinated doesn’t eliminate their chances of getting the flu, it can have a positive effect on the severity of the disease if it contracts it and decreases its chances of dying. . from that.
Morgan said state fitness officials are encouraging citizens to get vaccinated against the flu every year, yet they are willing to take that step this year.
“It’s raising flu vaccination coverage and contacting your early fitness service provider if they expand fever and flu-like symptoms so their symptoms can be well diagnosed and treated,” she says in her email.
Janine Emery, the supervising nurse at the San Juan County Office of Public Health, said her workplace had not yet won this year’s flu shot, but said she had not gained any symptoms of expanding or reducing the vaccine application this year. that there is a concentrated effort among fitness officers across the country to urge others not to wait.
“There’s tension for other people to beef now,” he said.
As a former school nurse, Emery said she had noticed an early and defeated start to flu season, and refused to guess when she would show up this year.
“This year, who knows what it will look like?”asked rhetorically.
But she believes that there is a possibility that the widespread adoption of COVID practices will prove to be an impediment to this year’s spread of influenza.
“I hope so, ” he said. We’re all in uncharted territory, and there will be a lot of ‘Let’s see what happens’. “
Hill said she was encouraged by what she had personally heard or noticed from others when flu shots were going to be given in September.
“We’ve heard a lot of other people and health care staff get vaccinated from the start,” he says. “It’s a smart signal. “
With regard to the continuation of these COVID security practices, Greenberg said that other people do not think about it in terms of transitional or transient response.
“We are now in a scenario where long-term replacements are concerned,” he said, adding that it was difficult to convince others to replace their behavior during a prolonged era. He understood that it was herbal for others to be satisfied with compliance with COVID’s protection practices over time, however, he is involved in that any breach of precautions can have serious consequences.
“These are things that have to behave for everyone,” he said. “If we can do that, we can probably enjoy a delight similar to what happened in the southern hemisphere. “
Hill suggested others be patient and cautious.
“They have to stick to that until the vast majority of Americans have won the vaccine (COVID-19),” he said.
As is the case every year, the hospital will have two flu management clinics this year, the first will run from nine a. m. to noon on Saturday, October 24, and the time will be offered from nine a. m. to noon. Saturday, October 31. Both will take position in the north parking lot of the visitor hospital, on the corner of Maple Street and Schwartz Avenue in Farmington.
More: Coronavirus pandemic hits San Juan and McKinley counties harder in New Mexico
Participants must wear a mask and bring a cell phone, as the processing of the clinics will be different this year with the end of bureaucracy, according to a press release from the hospital. give your details by phone.
Those with COVID-19 symptoms, such as a sore throat, cough, aches, fever, or respiratory symptoms, should wait for the flu shot.
Hospital officials said vaccinations should be obtained on a first-come, first-served basis for others 18 years of age or older. high-risk groups.
You can contact Mike Easterling at 505-564-4610 or Measterling@daily-times. com support journalism with a virtual subscription.