Recently, we reported on how Nebraska is seeing a spike in COVID-19 cases. Now, KETV is sharing some updated numbers. The Douglas County Health Department said that from July to August, COVID-19 cases increased by 95% -- a jump of about 500 cases. "Not a lot of people are testing, but those that are testing are very positive," said deputy health director Justin Frederick. "We have over a 20% positivity rate, which is what we would see back in 2022, kind of the height of the pandemic."Frederick says the change likely comes down to the changing seasons."We're gathering, we're closer together, and it's just more opportunity for these respiratory infections like COVID to spread," Frederick said. So, what do we need to know about getting vaccinated this fall?"I would suggest waiting to get your flu vaccine until we get closer to the flu season," said Mark Rupp, the chief of infectious disease at UNMC.Rupp says mid-October would be ideal for the flu shot; however, he suggests getting the COVID-19 vaccine much sooner."With the levels that we're seeing currently in the community, based upon the wastewater data, it would be reasonable for people to take that vaccine as soon as it's available," Rupp said. But before you get the COVID-19 vaccine, Rupp says you may want to think twice."In recent months, if you've had a flu-like illness, there's a pretty good chance that that was COVID-19 that you're dealing with, even if you did not get tested to confirm that," Rupp said. If you've had COVID-19 recently, Rupp says you'll want to wait about three months before getting vaccinated.Click here for the latest headlines from KETV NewsWatch 7
Recently, we reported on how Nebraska is seeing a spike in COVID-19 cases. Now, KETV is sharing some updated numbers.
The Douglas County Health Department said that from July to August, COVID-19 cases increased by 95% -- a jump of about 500 cases.
"Not a lot of people are testing, but those that are testing are very positive," said deputy health director Justin Frederick. "We have over a 20% positivity rate, which is what we would see back in 2022, kind of the height of the pandemic."
Frederick says the change likely comes down to the changing seasons.
"We're gathering, we're closer together, and it's just more opportunity for these respiratory infections like COVID to spread," Frederick said.
So, what do we need to know about getting vaccinated this fall?
"I would suggest waiting to get your flu vaccine until we get closer to the flu season," said Mark Rupp, the chief of infectious disease at UNMC.
Rupp says mid-October would be ideal for the flu shot; however, he suggests getting the COVID-19 vaccine much sooner.
"With the levels that we're seeing currently in the community, based upon the wastewater data, it would be reasonable for people to take that vaccine as soon as it's available," Rupp said.
But before you get the COVID-19 vaccine, Rupp says you may want to think twice.
"In recent months, if you've had a flu-like illness, there's a pretty good chance that that was COVID-19 that you're dealing with, even if you did not get tested to confirm that," Rupp said.
If you've had COVID-19 recently, Rupp says you'll want to wait about three months before getting vaccinated.