The holiday season is also the season for increases in cases of the flu, COVID-19 and other contagious illnesses. Kevin Hall is a spokesman for the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department. He said it’s tough to track the expected increases because many people aren’t taking lab-confirmed tests – but there are several reasons they’ll rise as the new year approaches.
“People are with their families, friends, they're traveling. They're going to movies and concerts and basketball games. They're indoors. They're spreading these illnesses. So those numbers will go up.”
Hall said vaccinations are still the best way to reduce the chance of getting sick.
“The new flu shot’s available. The new COVID shot is available. They are safe. They're effective. And unfortunately, though, too many people are not taking advantage of these. What we're seeing not only here in central Kentucky, but across the nation, is that fewer and fewer people are getting the COVID shot.”
Hall said handwashing throughout the day, 20 seconds at a time, also offers protection, and people shouldn’t feel self-conscious about masking up before venturing into crowds.
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