Masks No Longer Required At JCH&L

Masks are no longer required at Jefferson Community Health and Life (JCH&L) for all patients, visitors and staff do to the current COVID-19 community transmission level.The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) uses a color-coding system for community transmission levels. Jefferson County had been at red, or high risk. On October 21 of this year, Lana Likens, director of public relations, marketing and development at JCH&L, explained, “So by CDC guidelines, for masking requirements health care facilities have to go by the Community Transmission level - which has us red.”Likens noted at the time, “there have been some positive COVID test results in our county in the past week. That’s what triggered that jump to red. (This level was previously yellow.)” Last week, the CDC lowered Jefferson County’s risk level to yellow, or moderate.As of press time, Gage County remains at red. In other nearby counties, Thayer and Lancaster counties are in yellow, while Saline and Fillmore counties are in orange, or substantial risk.At JCH&L, signage at the entrances does tell those coming in the current masking status.Increasing COVID-19 Cases Last week, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported the number of COVID-19 cases rose, reversing a trend of declining numbers for several weeks prior. WHO noted in its weekly epidemiological update, “Globally, the number of new weekly cases increased by 2 percent during the week of 7 to 13 November 2022 as compared to the previous week, with over 2.3 million new cases reported.”This is due primarily to increases in Japan (25 percent), South Korea (19 percent) and the U.S. (six percent).Nebraska is one of those states that has seen a sharp increase in new cases. However, WHO also warns that cases are likely being under reported, “The true number of incident cases is an underestimate due to a decline in testing globally.”Other Respiratory Concerns In addition to rising COVID-19 infections, the country has seen a spike in cases of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), another virus that impacts the respiratory system. While most who suffer from RSV can be over it in a week or so, the CDC warns, “RSV can be serious, especially for infants and older adults. RSV is the most common cause of bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways in the lung) and pneumonia (infection of the lungs) in children younger than 1 year of age in the United States.”The “triple threat” of COVID-19, RSV and the annual influenza season risks overwhelming hospitals, which is why health officials are urging people to take precautions.The CDC, Public Health Solutions and other health officials are still recommending COVID-19 vaccines and boosters, as well as flu shots. There is currently no vaccine available for RSV.

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