Written by: Matthew Orquia
In the weeks following the holiday season, Hamilton County has seen an increase in COVID-19 cases, according to data from the Hamilton County Health Department website. This increase was expected because of the amount of people who were indoors in group settings over the holidays, according to Dawn Ford, epidemiology center director for the Hamilton County Health Department.
Wastewater surveillance data from the Hamilton County Health Department website showed a community increase in COVID-19.
“So that means, you know, there’s still COVID in the community,” Ford said. “And I think what’s important about this is that we still need to be concerned about COVID and take prevention measures.”
According to Ford, the Hamilton County Health Department does not get data from at-home COVID-19 test kits, but it does receive reports from hospitals and clinics in the county. Wastewater surveillance data can help provide information on COVID-19 in the community that wouldn’t be reported by a hospital or clinic, according to Ford.
“And I think what’s important about this is that we still need to be concerned about COVID and take prevention measures.”
Preventative measures recommended by the Hamilton County Health Department include vaccination, staying home when sick and hand-washing, according to Ford.
“The circulating strains have about the same symptoms as we’ve been seeing in the past year or so,” Ford said. “The severity of the strains has not increased. So that’s the good news.”
However, immunocompromised people and those over the age of 65 can be more impacted by respiratory viruses such as COVID-19.
“Individuals need to know what their risks are and then, you know, take action accordingly,” Ford explained. “ … The best way to protect yourself is through vaccination.”
Flu season has also impacted Hamilton County, but according to Ford, data from the health department indicates that the case numbers are going down.
“We recommend people to get vaccinated if they haven’t been vaccinated yet,” she said, “because it can still provide some protection against flu.”
