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'Tripledemic' blamed for five deaths
McCOOK, Neb. — The tripledemic of COVID-19, flu and RSV claimed five deaths in the Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department district in November and December, according to director Myra Stoney.
Thirty-nine cases of COVID-19 were recorded in the district Jan. 2-8, which is consistent with the average new weekly cases reported for the last two months. The COVID test positivity rate is between 4% and 6%, but rates have dropped dramatically in the past two months, about a third of the rate in mid-November.
High levels of RSV and flu, along with COVID-19, resulted in two deaths due to COVID-91, two from flu and one due to respiratory syncytial virus in an adult.
“Thankfully we continue to see good protection from the flu shot and COVID shots,” Stoney said. “The chances of getting these illnesses are still there, but you are much less likely to need hospital care for severe illness if you have had a booster shot within the last six months.”
Updated boosters for COVID-19 are available at SWNPHD and many pharmacies across the area. 43% of all SWNPHD residents have received the minimum vaccination dose (1 or 2 shots). About 56% of these persons have received at least one booster dose, including 73% of those aged 60 years and over.