Beckley, WV (WOAY) – COVID was all we could think about in the height of the pandemic.
Nowadays, we would rather forget about lockdowns, social distancing, and testing protocols.
While it may not be on people’s minds much anymore, people are still getting COVID.
“Those that tend to be at higher risk of catching COVID and developing more severe symptoms would be older adults, younger children, and those with weakened immune systems or those with other chronic medical conditions,” said Beckley ARH Infection Preventionist Kelsey Whitt.
Those with weakened immune systems can’t fight the infection. They may see more severe symptoms, or symptoms longer to recover. Locally, there’s not much COVID currently.
“A little bit of flu here and there, a little bit of COVID here and there, a couple of colds, and that’s about, Whitt said. “No major trends right now.”
Still stay home if you test positive for COVID or have a cough, practice cough etiquette- keep your hands clean, use hand sanitizer.
“Then communicate with your physician. If you are having symptoms that you think are COVID-related, they can evaluate,” said the Infection Preventionist. “See if you need to be tested. And then knowing when symptoms are more emergent, such as shortness of breath or chest pain.”
The CDC still recommends staying up to date with your COVID vaccinations, which helps with less severe illness and fewer hospitalizations.
“That can vary person to person. Just depends on the guidance of the provider for that specific patient,” Whitt said. “What’s going on with them as far as you know, are they immunocompromised? Could they depend on the workplace if they have certain policies, but it tends to be symptom-based.”
We are at higher risk of COVID in more populated areas because we don’t know what kind of illness we’ll encounter.
“That’s why it’s important if you are sick, to stay home to keep from spreading the disease and keep everybody safer,” said Whitt.
