Saline County Health Department
In six of the seven months in 2022, the number of confirmed COVID cases has outpaced those of last year.
"We suspect the number of positive COVID cases to be much higher in reality," said Saline County Health Officer Jason Tiller. "At-home testing is ubiquitous, and many of those who test positive aren't reporting those results and can manage their symptoms at home. In years past, many employers had policies that required an 'official test' for employees to be excused from work. Thankfully, that has changed, which has released some of the strain on the medical community's resources."
Free at-home tests can be found at several places in Saline County including Salina Family Healthcare Center and the Saline County Health Department. A resident needs only to stop by and ask for a test. Anyone with symptoms or who may have been exposed to someone with COVID is encouraged to get tested.
While the number of cases is tracking higher than last year, critical admissions to Salina Regional Health Center is significantly lower than in the same timeframe last year. Unvaccinated patients continue to account for the largest number of critical hospital admissions.
The number of deaths per month is less consistent month to month compared to last year but is on the decline overall. Thus far in 2022, Saline County has lost 29 residents to COVID. During the same period last year, that number was 44. In both years, unvaccinated people made up the highest proportion of deaths to COVID.
"Obviously, we want that number at zero," said Tiller. "Vaccination continues to play a significant role in testing positive for the virus, the severity of it if you do, and the likelihood of passing it on to others."
Currently, in Saline County, residents over the age of 65 account for the highest vaccination rate, with the rate steadily decreasing in younger demographics.
Due to the high community transmission rate in Saline County, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) recommends wearing a mask indoors in public and on public transportation, staying up-to-date on vaccines, and getting tested if you have symptoms. Those at high risk for severe illness should consider taking additional precautions.
Learn more here.
"When setting policies locally, we look at "The Big Three" criteria," explained Tiller. "Those areconfirmed cases, taking into account clusters and wide-spread transmission;hospitalizationsand whether or not the majority are critical; anddeaths- their frequency and what other mitigating factors there may have been. We also consider vaccination level and availability as well as testing level and availability.
"Taking all that into account and consulting with other healthcare experts in the area, at this point, I do not plan to implement any county-wide policies but encourage everyone to follow the CDC recommendations."
Organizations are encouraged to set policies that make sense and work for them. The Health Department sponsors a quarterly HR Healthy Workplace Round Table to help local organizations share policies, programs, and information. (Sign up to receive HR Healthy Workplace Round Table information.)
It is important to remember that many medical facilities continue to require masking.
As always, everyone is encouraged to:
●Stay home if you are sick.
●Get tested.
●Wear a mask when appropriate.