The Louisiana Department of Health is reminding residents to stay up to date on their vaccines and boosters ahead of holiday gatherings. LDH reported over 4 thousand new COVID-19 cases. State Health Officer Joe Kanter says the good news is that our cases of RSV have gone down.
“The bad news is were in the middle of an already bad flu season and its not showing much signs of leaving yet, and unfortunately were seeing the beginning signs of we could be entering another surge of COVID-19,” said Kanter.
The flu cases have already surpassed flu seasons of the past 5 years with a 7-day average of 246 patients hospitalized and 10% of healthcare visits with flu-like symptoms. Kanter says this is the time to take precautions.
“Getting vaccinated and particularly boosted for those who are eligible, a lot of people who got their initial vaccine haven’t yet gotten boosted, now’s a great time to do that and for people who are more vulnerable to severe disease,” said Kanter.
The updated COVID-19 boosters are formulated to offer continued protection against the original strain while also offering new protection against the Omicron variant and other variants. Kanter says this will be great security going into the holidays.
“The people that have put off either their flu vaccine or their COVID booster you can get them both at the same time and if you get it now that’s going to give you some welcomed protection for the Christmas and New year holiday,” said Kanter.
Visit ldh.la.gov/covidtesting or call 211 to find a testing site near you
Comments