Med Center Health physician discusses prevention amid rising COVID cases
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – With the start of school, doctors and clinics always see a rise in respiratory illnesses like flu and COVID, and this year is no different.
But Stratus, the current dominant strain of COVID, isn’t presenting anything new.
A subvariant of the Omicron strain, its symptoms are familiar: cough, congestion, loss of smell and muscle soreness.
If you are feeling ill, doctors say it is always best to get tested, while some tests are readily available. Testing by a professional is always more definitive.
Dr. Suman Shekar, internal medicine with Med Center Health, says, “The accuracy of the home testing kits have not been tested. Right. So that’s the reason going to the nearest P.C.P. or urgent care and getting tested would be the best way. And, also, like as per Med Center E.R., we have been seeing an increase in the respiratory illnesses, especially in the younger kids less than five years of age, and they have tested positive for COVID.”
Emergency rooms aren’t seeing hospitalizations or deaths with this round of COVID, but no one likes to be sick. So wash those hands, stay home if you are ill and wear a mask if you do have to be around others.
Shekar said the current vaccines are very effective against this strain of COVID, and new updated vaccines for COVID and the flu will be available this fall.
