Robbinsville – Often questioned, yet rarely analyzed.
Yes, flu season is underway – even as the COVID-19 pandemic continues – and the Graham County Health Department is still offering some services to help.
Graham County Health Department Nursing Supervisor Lorita Eller discussed the flu season so far at the Graham County Health Board meeting Monday night. She said that the county had seen some cases, and that some places were testing for the flu, even with COVID-19 dominating the bulk of the testing.
“We have seen some cases of flu in Graham County,” Eller said. “At urgent care and the clinic, we’re testing folks for COVID and flu. We’re seeing type A and type B (flu). For a few individuals, they had both, which is miserable.”
She said the number of people in the county being tested for the flu had been lower than in years past, but was unsure why.
“We continue to have a sufficient supply of flu vaccine, and we’re still encouraging providers to refer clients to the health department,” Eller said. “We have a good supply of the adult vaccine.”
She added that the flu vaccine was free for those who were uninsured, and encouraged anyone to get vaccinated.
“Right now, the flu numbers that we are seeing are down,” Eller said. “I don’t know how much of that’s related to everyone being tested for COVID and not for flu.”
New faces
Graham County Health Director Beth Booth also recognized two new peer-support specialists recently brought on at the health department, including community linkage to care navigator Clint Jones – who works closely with the Graham County Detention Center and Graham County Sheriff’s Office – and Recovery to Work representative Bethany Leonard, who works out of the health department building.
“They both are going to be serving as peer-support specialists, but their roles are a little bit different,” Booth said.
Both positions are grant-funded and both employees will undergo 40 hours of peer-support training of training, which started Monday.
“They’re both very excited to start, and we’re very happy to have them,” Booth said.
“They’re doing really, really well.”
A meeting to introduce Jones and Leonard to local leaders is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 11.