The holiday season is in full swing local health officials have urged residents to take certain precautions for respiratory illnesses that are common during the season.
Bartlett Regional Hospital spokesperson Erin Hardin said that by caring for individual health issues, patients can aid in the care of the health of the community and wellbeing.
The span style=”font-weight 400 ;”>”It’s an excellent reminder to always take reasonable precautions and stay at home when you’re sick, and stay current with your vaccinations,” she added. “That is a great way to keep the health system and ourselves as healthy as we can. .”
Infectious diseases such as COVID-19, the flu, and respiratory syncytial viruses, also known as RSV continues to infect people living in Alaska during the holiday season. This week, 21 individuals were admitted in hospitals across the state having confirmed instances of COVID-19. According to information from the CDC’s national tracker.
The Weekly respiratory virus bulletin for Alaska was updated on Dec. 16 reported just over 60 instances of RSV 70 cases of influenza and 235 confirmed COVID-19 cases throughout Alaska.
Hardin announced Tuesday that Juneau hospital has experienced similar patterns in seasonal illnesses.
” style=”font-weight 400 ;”>”We experienced an initial rise in respiratory diseases, including influenza, in the town of Juneau which was a reflection of the kind of thing we saw taking place at the state scale,” she said. “But it did not translate into more admissions to the hospital. .”
Hardin said that admissions remain lower as we enter the Christmas season, but she predicted an increase in admissions when the new year gets closer.
Anyone who wants to take a COVID tests ahead of gatherings should be aware changes in the places you can get tests local to you. The Juneau city stopped providing tests at no cost for the general public at city hall and libraries in the middle of this summer, as per George Schaaf, who was the head of the logistics section in the municipal emergency operations centre throughout the pandemic.
Schaaf stated that the city’s free tests ended shortly after the COVID-19 emergency that was declared by the federal government was officially declared over in the month of May.
“span style=”font-weight 400 ;”>”That’s the reason we no anymore have the ability to buy these kits and get reimbursed by the federal government to purchase the tests equipment,” he said.
Schaaf stated that some people contact the city to inquire about whether free tests are available. He advises them to buy tests at local pharmacies and retail stores in Juneau which sell the tests.
There’s still a chance to obtain tests at no cost however, it could be a bit more time-consuming than a stroll or drive to the nearest pharmacy. In the fall of this year, the federal government renewed its program to offer the tests for free to people who request them through the US Postal Service. Residents of Alaska are eligible to use the program right now, but it’s unclear when it will end. Each household order includes four tests at home.
For those who are looking for vaccinations The the Juneau Public Health Center’s nurse coordinator Alison Gottschlich said most local pharmacies and health providers are equipped with the latest COVID-19 influenza, COVID-19 and RSV vaccines.
She advised residents to call before the time of their appointment to ensure that vaccines are on hand or contact at the Juneau Public Health Center for any questions regarding availability or insurance coverage at various places around Juneau.
