Kentucky’s public health commissioner says getting a flu shot will likely carry more significance this fall.
Dr. Steven Stack said Thursday it’s not a good time to get influenza in the middle of a pandemic when the symptoms for flu and COVID-19 look similar.
“We have to keep influenza as suppressed as we possibly can. In a bad year with influenza our hospitals are strained with just keeping up with influenza patients. That alone puts hospitals at or beyond capacity,” said Stack.
Stack said it could also mean more sorting of flu and coronavirus cases in the hospital setting. Fayette County Health Commissioner Kraig Humbaugh this week also stressed the importance of getting flu shots this fall. Health Department Spokesman Kevin Hall noted the Lexington facility anticipates having the vaccine available in late September.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports more than 23% of Kentucky adults are smokers. The Commonwealth ranks second in that category to West Virginia.
During the briefing, Kentucky Public Health Commissioner Steven Stack said he’s not sure if smokers with COVID-19 are having worse outcomes, but he added, “nobody should be smoking.” “All things being equal people who have structural lung disease caused by long term tobacco use, probably do have worse outcomes, because their lungs are in worse shape going into this,” explained Stack.
Governor Beshear reported 679 coronavirus cases and eight deaths Friday.
If you appreciate access to this important content during this global health emergency, please help us continue to provide public service journalism and information to Central and Eastern Kentucky communities. Please make your contribution to WEKU today.