Connecticut officials reported the state’s first two flu deaths, noted that about 15 to 20 people still die each week from COVID-19, and urged residents to get vaccinated this week. I called out.
Dr. Manisha Jutani, the state’s public health commissioner, said the two people who died from the flu were an adult over 90 years old and an infant. “A two-month-old baby is not eligible for vaccination. It’s heartbreaking for the newborn’s family to hear something like that,” she said.
“At the start of every respiratory viral disease season, we lean into the fact that everyone over six months of age should get vaccinated against influenza,” she added.
Gov. Ned Lamont, who received flu and COVID-19 vaccinations at a news conference this week, said the shots could help prevent further outbreaks.
“Just because we have a way to deal with COVID-19 doesn’t mean it’s gone. It’s still out there. It’s still infecting people, and we’re keeping you out of the hospital.” We can keep you safe,” he said.
Jutani said that although the pandemic is over, there are still cases of coronavirus in the state.
“Eighty-eight percent of people admitted to hospital during last year’s COVID-19 season were not vaccinated against COVID-19,” she said. “Even before the season has even begun in earnest, 15 to 20 people are dying from coronavirus each week, and these deaths are most pronounced in people over 60.”
The state’s Department of Public Health’s Viral Respiratory Disease Surveillance Dashboard shows the number of people infected with COVID-19 far exceeds both the flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which also causes cold-like symptoms. .
According to the Health Department’s seasonal infection numbers, so far there have been 15,567 new coronavirus infections, 252 influenza infections, and 258 respiratory syncytial virus infections.
According to the CDC’s COVID-19 Data Tracker, COVID-19 cases spiked earlier this year in January, coinciding with the last season of the respiratory viral disease.
“A lot of people got COVID-19 this summer. A lot of people got COVID-19 early this fall, and people might say, ‘Oh, really, we’ve got COVID-19 again. Do I need to be vaccinated against the virus?’ You know, I’ve had a lot of those shots,” Jutani said. “Well, guess what? Getting re-vaccinated against COVID-19, which is actually a once-a-year shot, is the best way to protect yourself.”
In a press release, officials said the federal government will once again offer four free COVID-19 self-tests per household through covidtests.gov.
Jutani wasn’t the only state official pushing for vaccinations. Hartford Chief Operating Officer Olusegun “Shay” Ajayi also encouraged residents to be proactive in managing their health at the press conference.
“I encourage you to be aware of vaccination clinics, pharmacies, health departments, etc. around you. It really doesn’t take that long,” Ajayi said.
He emphasized the importance of vaccination not only at the individual but also at the community level. “This is not just about protecting the individual, and I can’t stress this enough, it’s about so much more. It’s also about protecting our community members and our loved ones. We can unite.”
Jutani said infants and the elderly are most at risk from respiratory viral illnesses.
Hartford Health and Human Services Director Ebony Jackson Shahid echoed the sentiments of other officials who attended this week’s event.
“Immunization is a global health success story. We basically save millions of lives every year. Vaccines have historically caused harm or death in infants, children, and adults. “We have significantly reduced the number of diseases that have occurred in the past few years,” she said.
“The city of Hartford alone has a large urban and rural population. We face significant health disparities,” she said. “Many members of our community suffer from a variety of comorbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity, all of which are associated with decreased quality of life and poor health. However, vaccines work with your body’s natural defenses to build protection and reduce your risk of getting the disease.”
“Together we are fighting these viruses, and if we all work together and do our part, we will be stronger. Therefore, I want to remind you all that in our role, , and we can’t urge you enough to all come together and do our part. So let’s roll up our sleeves and improve our health and well-being, one vaccine at a time,” Ajayi said. Ta.
Desirae Sin is a reporter for The Connecticut Mirror (https://ctmirror.org/). Copyright 2024 © Connecticut Mirror.
First Published: October 19, 2024 at 6:00 AM
