As three different respiratory viruses gain strength with the approach of winter, the South Central Public Health District on Thursday determined that one such virus that many Americans might have thought was going away—COVID-19—remains a threat in Blaine County and the surrounding region.
The Health District on Thursday issued a “moderate” COVID-19 risk level for Blaine County, noting that the county’s test positivity rate is elevated.
In its monthly risk assessment of the eight counties it serves, the district reported that Blaine County’s rate for positive COVID-19 tests was 12.1%, in the “high” risk category. That is more than twice the “minimal” goal of 5% or lower.
The 14-day rolling average of new cases per 10,000 residents was 1.29, in the “moderate” range.
Blaine County’s overall COVID-19 risk has been “moderate” for most of the latter half of 2022, according to Health District assessments.
The risk associated with hospital capacity was also rated as “moderate” because of limited staffing and capacity.
“Impact on the regional hospital [in Twin Falls] is critical for non-COVID related care,” the district stated. “Overall impact is moderate.”
Because many people do not report the results of at-home COVID-19 tests, the Health District stated that it is possible the case rate is higher than data shows.
For the assessment, the district used data from Nov. 20 to Dec. 3.
The district reported that Blaine County had 28 new COVID-19 cases recorded in the week of Dec. 5-11.
The Health District issued “moderate” COVID-19 risk assessments to all other counties in the district, most of which had previously in the fall been assessed with “minimal” risk levels.
On a statewide level, COVID-19 case numbers were trending downward in the fall but have been increasing slightly in recent weeks. The statewide daily seven-day moving average incidence rate of COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population was 11 on Dec. 7, after it had dipped below 9 in October and early November, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare reported. It had soared to about 243 during the omicron-variant surge last winter, before plunging to about 3 in early April.
Daily COVID-19 hospitalizations in Idaho have also been increasing, Health and Welfare data indicates. Statewide COVID-19 hospitalizations were hovering in the 80s in early November. On Dec. 5—the last day of the latest reporting period—the number had almost doubled to 145.
St. Luke’s Wood River hospital had one COVID-19 patient admitted on Tuesday.
Through Friday, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare had recorded 507,870 COVID-19 cases statewide and 5,280 COVID-related deaths since the beginning of the pandemic. The state recorded 1,638 new COVID-19 cases from Nov. 30 to Dec. 7.
Through Friday, Health and Welfare had recorded 7,038 COVID-19 cases in Blaine County since the pandemic started, contributing to 32 deaths.
Nationally, case numbers have been slowly increasing since October. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s seven-day average of new weekly COVID-19 cases was 459,000 on Dec. 7, up from about 265,000 in mid-October.
Blaine County remains the most vaccinated county in Idaho, with 81.8% of the eligible population deemed fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The next highest percentage is in Ada County—which includes Boise—at 62.9%.
Other respiratory viruses pose risks, too, district says
The Health District is also warning people in south-central Idaho to take precautions against other respiratory viruses, as case data show they are hitting the region earlier than usual.
The Idaho Department of Health Welfare reported that 24 percent of respiratory syncytial virus—commonly known as RSV—lab tests in the state came back positive between Nov. 20-26. In south-central Idaho, the positivity rate jumped to nearly 40%. The following week in south-central Idaho, the positivity rate was just over 30%.
RSV is a common respiratory virus that typically causes mild cold-like symptoms, but can cause very serious complications for some people, particularly infants and older adults. It is the leading cause of bronchitis and pneumonia in children younger than 1 in the United States, according to the CDC.
Influenza has also been detected in most areas of Idaho, including the south-central region, the Health District reported last week. Health and Welfare reported last week that hospital admissions for confirmed influenza increased by over 1,500% in the previous four weeks.
Health authorities recorded 48 flu cases in south-central Idaho in the week of Nov. 27 to Dec. 3.
With three respiratory viruses circulating in the country, health authorities are calling the phenomenon a “triple-demic.”
“This fall has been cold and snowy—it is natural for people to gather indoors,” said Logan Hudson, South Central Public Health District division administrator. “The close proximity and decreased air flow give respiratory viruses the perfect opportunity to spread. We’ll continue gathering inside most of the season, so it is important we take steps now to protect our health and decrease our risk of getting sick.”
Because many respiratory viruses are contagious before symptoms start, people should practice good hygiene and health practices, the district advised, including: staying home when sick; getting vaccinated against the flu and COVID-19; washing hands often; avoiding touching eyes, nose and mouth, when possible; and covering coughs and sneezes. 
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I guess Flunkhoser can't back up his assertions. As usual. So I won't get an answer from him about other publications. Oh well. And for the record, I identify with Elon Musk. My pronouns are Prosecute/Fauci.
Miles Flunkhoser. Where can I find her/his/they/its "other conspiracy rant in another local publication" that you claimed I have been posting in? I'm serious. I really would like to read what other "conspiracy theorists" are writing. It's one of the best ways to get real information. And I would be more than happy to post in that too if you tell me what it is.
Here's FakeyJake again, rearing his Trolling head. Comirnaty? Really? How about waltzing into St Lukes and demanding you want a Comirnaty shot and ONLY a Comirnaty shot? NOT POSSIBLE! You can't get it. Oh sure they'll tell you; the vaxx they have available is the same as Comirnaty. Prove it! Have them show you the vial. Ask for the little piece of paper. Go ahead. Just try. Ain't gonna happen.
Hmmmm. I wonder why that is. Didn't the FDA approve Comirnaty a long time ago? Why is it not available, and the "Emergency Use Authorized" vaxxes are still the only ones you can get?
And as far as the new RSV, hey, I'm only quoting the article. "Triple-demic" is in the headline. Take it up with IME, Fakey. Glad you're getting paid well for your promotion and marketing endeavors. You and Fauci.
Here’s Q’Anonsense again, peddling his COVID/vaccine/Dr. Fauci lies that he’s gleaned from the latest posts on his browser right-wing favorites list. Multiple times in the past, I’ve pointed him to the PubMed website to “do his own research”, as they say, but apparently those keys on his keyboard burn his fingers.
I have no idea which mRNA vaccine is stocked at the St Luke’s clinic. If it’s Pfizer, then you’ll get Cominarty, which is available and labeled as such since it was approved by the FDA on 8/23/2021:
“Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine has been known as the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, and will now be marketed as Comirnaty (koe-mir’-na-tee)”. Pharmaceutical companies only use trade names, e.g., Cominarty, after approval. Prior to 8/23/2021, it was known as the “ Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine”. All vaccines administered now will be labeled “Cominarty”, since older vials have long since expired. I’m sure if one asked, whoever is administering the vaccine will gladly show you the vial from which it was drawn. Likewise, if they stock the Moderna vaccine, it will be labeled “Spikevax”.
The “new RSV”?. Flash bulletin Q’ey, RSV was discovered long before I was in med school, and I’m as old as dirt.
I’m in private practice and the procedures I perform are the source of my income. Dr. Fauci’s income and sources are public domain. Please feel free to dive in. Here’s an article from Forbes that you can use to jumpstart your search:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/adamandrzejewski/2022/01/15/disclosures-released-dr-fauci-household-profits-exceeded-17-million-in-2020--included-income-royalties-travel-perks-and-investment-gains/?sh=35a55b767d5f
Shakey Jake, No-Sense is a "she", the local anti-vax, Q-crazy Karen/Krackin. Personalty I think she suffers from a compulsive behavior disorder. You can read some of her other conspiracy rant in another local publication in the valley, embarrassing.
Thanks!
Aren't we all supposed to be "It" or "They" according to your Dem playbook for a new social order? At least that is how they are indoctrinating our children today. "They" just changed the definition of a man/woman in Webster's Dictionary. Congrats!
Miles Flunkhoser is wrong on just about everything, but I am curious; where can I read about the aforementioned her/his/they/its "other conspiracy rant in another local publication?" Where can I find her/his/they/its posts? There are definitely some amazing REAL WOMEN and REAL MEN in this valley who are sharing facts about the vaxx that corrupt faux-docs like Shakey here are still trying desperately to cover up. He's a good little medical mafia soldier, following in march step behind his fearsome Fauci, who makes a ton of money from the Big Pharma patents that he shepherds through the FDA. What are you all going to do when Fauci finally starts testifying under oath and the house of cards collapses?
I really would like to know where I can read "other conspiracy rants." So please tell me what this other publication is. We conspiracy folks are always looking to share and vet information.
Yes, what are in those vaxxes? Why do we still not know?! Why isn't there a one page data sheet included like with every other pharma drug prescription or vaxx? You know, the little small folded paper with small print that tells you ingredients and side effects. These data sheets are required by law. If these vaxxes are supposedly so safe, why is it that two years later, pharma and FDA are still keeping this info secret? Hey, if you want to be their guinea pigs, then gofer it. But don't pretend you know what's in them or what they actually do.
Also, according to our wise and honest medical providers in Blaine Co, covid supposedly "contributed to 32 deaths" within the past 3 years. "CONTRIBUTED!" Yes, you read that right. So we had 10 deaths a year of people who were already sick with another disease and when they went to the hospital, they had that nose swab (proven to be inaccurate) that said they had covid. Their death certificate then listed their primary cause of death from their original disease but added the positive covid test result in order to earn an additional (minimum, sometimes more) $30k+ payment from our federal tax dollars. That's crazy! No wonder they want you to line up for an injection of a mysterious substance that doesn't prevent you from getting sick or transmitting to your loved ones. If you doctor is still selling these shots to you, get another doc! One who will tell you the truth.
And then we have this RSV thing. They are calling RSV part of a "triple-demic?!" Is anyone actually believing this crap. Babies under 1 year old are susceptible, as are older folks. But the rest of you children and people had better get shots against this ooooooooo "triple-demic." I guess when they give it a name, and repeat it over and over, tripple-demic-tripple-demic-tripple-demic, it's easier to market and sell to American consumers. Big Pharma and Fauci are counting on it.
As always, the best thing you can do is take responsibility for your immune system. You know what that means; lifestyle, diet, stress, good supplements like zinc and vit D. Don't wait for the New Year resolutions. Do it now!
The so-called “tripledemic“ —3 concurrent respiratory viruses reality that are filling hospital beds. You asked?
#1COVID Here’s the data sheet for the Pfizer vaccine. Let me know if you want Moderna’s, Q’Anonsense.
https://labeling.pfizer.com/ShowLabeling.aspx?id=14472&format=pdf
Here’s their website to report ant adverse reaction to Pfizer and the CDC (VAERS)
#2 RSV There is no “shot” for RSV. Maybe next year.
#3 A particularly nasty flu. This year’s vaccine is very effective.
https://www.comirnaty.com/#safety-information
What are in those vaccines? Immune response inhibitors? New viruses? Why are anti-parasite meds recommended and seemingly effective. Who created the virus? What was the goal? More sickness or vibrant health? Statistics, news stories (the real ones) and personal accounts via social media would indicate it’s the latter. Time for Nuremberg 2.0?
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