People not Numbers
· This week we have to report the unfortunate news of four deaths of Haywood senior citizens from COVID-19. None of these individuals were living in a long term care facility. They were living in their homes and had, like most senior citizens, other chronic health conditions. We have lost 36 Haywood residents to COVID this year. By comparison we lost two Haywood residents (neither a senior citizen) to influenza last year and none the previous year.
· Please take a careful look at the data above. Haywood County has the lowest percentage of cases increased in the past week of all the counties in the west – just 2% or 14 cases. That’s good news. Graham county, one of the smallest counties in the state has seen an increase of 18% (highest in the state) or 31 cases. Sadly we have the highest death rate in the west.
· This past week we have had three positive COVID cases related to three different churches in Haywood County. One positive individual named 13 contacts at his church as they were not wearing masks nearby and they were singing! As a reminder…Please wear a mask in church. A church can be a cluster environment.
· Attached is an article comparing flu and COVID symptoms and how to (sometimes) tell the difference. Also attached is a nice graphic put together by Allison Richmond, Public Information Officer for Haywood County.
· Please get your flu shot as soon as possible.
· Our school nurses are back to work and hopefully more appreciated than ever. In Haywood County, we have 6 School Nurses covering 15 schools during this pandemic. Please take moment to read the attached article, which gives some background on the history of school nursing and how complex their job is today.
