As a result of a reporting downside at some space pressing care facilities, the Jefferson County Well being Division has not been receiving correct details about the present flu season, stated Sara Wilton, the Well being Division’s epidemiologist.
She stated the Well being Division has not acquired the flu knowledge it wants since Nov. 21 and in consequence, has not issued a flu report since then.
“We’ve gotten just a few circumstances from a few of our different suppliers all through the world, however the ones we’re having some reporting points with are literally a few our greatest reporters,” Wilton stated.
Based on the Well being Division’s report in November, there had been 80 flu circumstances within the county at the moment.
On Monday, Wilton stated she didn’t assume there had been many extra circumstances since then and estimated a complete of 90 circumstances within the county to date
She additionally stated she had not heard of any flu-related deaths or outbreaks this season, which started in October and ends in Could.
Wilton stated a number of the space pressing cares have seen a change in possession, which is among the causes the Well being Division hasn’t been receiving up to date flu knowledge.
She stated the COVID-19 pandemic additionally has had an impact.
“Due to COVID, their priorities is likely to be on different issues,” she stated. “If it had been some other 12 months and we had been having this challenge, this is likely to be bumped as much as No. 1 precedence, however due to every little thing else happening with COVID, it may not be their No. 1 precedence in the intervening time.”
Wilton stated she hopes the reporting challenge is cleared up quickly.
“I’m optimistic we’ll be getting every little thing sorted out inside the subsequent couple of weeks,” she stated. “We positively will push out a type of studies as quickly as we get the problem resolved.”
Wilton stated she believes Jefferson County has not seen the height of flu season, which can in all probability happen in late January or early February.
Through the 2019-2020 flu season, the Well being Division had reported 67 flu circumstances as of Nov. 23, 2019, and 183 circumstances as of Jan. 4, 2020.
Final 12 months’s flu season ended up being the second highest on report in Jefferson County, with a complete of two,932 circumstances, 4 flu-related deaths and one outbreak in a long-term care facility.
The worst season on report was the 2017-2018 season, with 3,982 circumstances and 16 deaths, in accordance with the Well being Division.
As of Dec. 26, the Missouri Division of Well being and Senior Companies reported a complete of 681 circumstances within the state and no flu-related deaths or outbreaks.
The Well being Division affords flu vaccinations and anybody could name 636-797-4631.
