Update: Flu hospitalizations remain low in Scioto, Ohio
By Patrick Keck - pkeck@aimmediamidwest.com
While flu vaccines have long been promoted as a way to slow the spread of the virus, mitigation efforts in place to slow the coronavirus are also helping keep hospitalizations down this flu season. File Photo.
SCIOTO Coronavirus numbers have been trending in the right direction as of late in Scioto County and Ohio. Yet, the same could be said for influenza hospitalizations during its entire 2020-2021 season.
As previously reported by the
Portsmouth
Daily
Times, public health experts feared a “twin-demic,” where the coronavirus and the flu would coincide and lead to crowded hospitals.
Flu hospitalizations reach record-low’s, avoiding a ‘twindemic’ for now
By Patrick Keck - pkeck@aimmediamidwest.com
Multiple locations, including Staker s Drugstore on Chillicothe Street, have flu vaccines at their places of business. Photo by Patrick Keck.
SCIOTO Rates of influenza-associated hospitalizations are down significantly throughout Ohio and the United States, which public health experts say is due to a multitude of reasons.
A few weeks into the 2020-2021 flu season, the Ohio Department of Health has reported 43 hospitalizations as of Dec. 12. Compared to other years, this 10th week of reporting is just under 10 times less than last flu season’s and five times less than this point in 2018-2019.
PCHD administers first COVID vaccines
By Patrick Keck - pkeck@aimmediamidwest.com
PCHD Director of Nursing Christine Thomas (right) received the first Covid vaccine Monday afternoon from Public Health Nurse Mandy Whisman. Photo by Patrick Keck.
PORTSMOUTH The first steps were taken in Portsmouth to halt the spread of the coronavirus Monday afternoon following the vaccination of two city Health Department nurses.
Slightly after 2 p.m. at the PCHD building, Public health nurse Mandy Whisman administred the first COVID vaccine to Director of Nursing Christine Thomas in front of members of the local media. The two soon after switched roles, Thomas administering to Whisman.