Mary Alice Reporting –
Case numbers are increasing when it comes to respiratory and influenza illnesses.
The Ohio Department of Health provided an update on seasonal cold cases and COVID-19.
Doctor Bruce Vaderhoff addressed media member in the press conference and began by noting that COVID positive numbers are less than last year. He still encouraged Ohioans to receive a vaccine, especially the updated COVID shot that became available in September.
“About 1.1 million Ohioans have received it, that’s about 9.3-percent of us. We’re encouraged that a higher number of older Ohioans have been vaccinated, 29-percent of Ohioans aged 65 and older.”
A rise in influenza and RSV cases have been seen but not the extent as reported last year.
RSV, the flu, and COVID remain the most common, but Vanderhoff said there are other illness healthcare providers have seen pop up.
“Including well known bacterial pathogens we haven’t seen much of the last few year. One of those is the bacterium pneumonia. It also has been year of elevated cases of pertussis in Ohio, the disease also known as whooping cough.”
Vanderhoff stressed that illness outbreaks are normal for this time of year.
He added that best practices should be used, such as washing hands frequently and sanitizing surfaces.
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