The Wahzhazhe Health Center is preparing for COVID-19 and flu season.
“There is an increase in people presenting with mild [COVID] symptoms, but there hasn’t been an increase in hospitalizations,” said Wahzhazhe Health Center CEO Mark Rogers.
According to Chief Medical Officer Dr. Tony Little, the spike in COVID cases first began in June, but never actually relented. “Even in our area, we saw an uptick … coming in early June. It kind of surprised me, because with schools being out, we thought it would peak and see it come down. But that’s not what we’re seeing. We’re continuing to see the uptick,” he said.
Little also noted that people are not necessarily going to the hospital to get tested for the virus. “The way this is monitor[ed] is not necessarily by positive tests. The Centers for Disease Control … monitors the viral count in the wastewater, because you shed that virus into the wastewater. People are getting COVID now, [but] they never test. They just have symptoms and say ‘Well, I’m doing okay.’ So, we probably have even more now than we know because people aren’t getting tested,” he said.
Prevention
The virus continues to mutate and change in the way symptoms present, said CMO Dr. Little. For that reason – and also because of COVID’s highly contagious nature – both Rogers and Dr. Little said the best prevention solution is vaccination.
“We recommend everyone get vaccinated, except for babies under the age of six months,” said Dr. Little. “Everybody else, get vaccinated – even if they have been [before].”
Neither Moderna or Pfizer are in at the clinic yet but both are expected by mid-September. The clinic’s recommendation is that people call in now to schedule their vaccination appointments for the middle of the month.
“Towards the end of the week, we might get Moderna,” Dr. Little added.
Additionally, the clinic advises everyone to vigilantly wash their hands and stay away from people who are sick. Even if someone has not tested positive for the virus, they might still have it, Rogers explained.
“It can take 5 to 7 days to accumulate a viral load,” said Rogers, explaining that “accumulating a viral load” is what results in a positive test. But people can still spread the virus, even before they hit that viral load. As a result, Rogers emphasized the importance of staying away from anyone who is sick in order to avoid spreading the virus.
Symptoms, additionally, are changing – even beginning to include gastrointestinal issues. “It’s weird,” Rogers marveled.
Dr. Little advised that within families if someone tested positive for the virus, they need to quarantine. “At least five days from onset of symptoms,” he said. “We still recommend masking 10 days after the initial positive symptoms.”
Those with other health issues need to consider wearing a mask, Rogers added. “And talk to your provider about any unique health issues or problems. Make sure your vaccinations are current.”
Seniors, the very young and those who have an autoimmune disease are all at an increased risk for contracting the virus. Cancer immunocompromised people also have an increased risk and Dr. Dr. Little urges everyone to get tested if they have any symptoms. “We don’t want the spread the disease,” he said.
As variants continue, Paxlovid an option
People who have had COVID several times will generally have weaker symptoms because their immune system has already adapted to the virus, said Dr. Little. However, the virus is continuing to mutate and change, and different strains may result in different symptoms.
One option is the oral antiviral pill Paxlovid. The clinic advises that immunocompromised people take the anti-viral medication for the virus, which is available now.
“We have that at the clinic,” said Dr. Little.
The CMO also commented on the ongoing development of the virus, saying, “The different strains are going to affect you based on the strains, and based on your immune system. … Omicron strains are a little different. … This is a worldwide infection that’s going on, so you’re going to see this virus continue to change from the Eastern European countries into Europe and now [here].”
“You can be in Ireland today and New York City tonight. People are not wearing masks … so it’s going to continue,” said Dr. Little.
In the face of viral threats, vaccines and regular check-ins with providers will help, said Dr. Little. “We’re going to have the flu season and COVID, they’ll go hand and hand. We hope and pray they combine [the vaccine]. The flu vaccine is available now. It’s a little ahead of the COVID [vaccines]. But we’re right on time to get both those vaccines now,” he said.
To schedule a vaccination or check-up at the WZZHC, call (918) 287-9300. More information is available at https://www.facebook.com/ONHSWahZhaZheHealthCenter.
