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County health official warns of rising influenza, announces free STI/HIV testing days and heart‑health resources
Summary
Dr. Katie Richardson reported a notable increase in influenza‑like illness and hospitalizations, announced free STI/HIV/hepatitis C testing days (next on Feb. 6 and March 11) and highlighted heart‑health resources for American Heart Month.
Dr. Katie Richardson reported the county is seeing a spike in influenza‑like illness and flu diagnoses and urged vaccination and standard infection‑prevention measures.
"There were 9 deaths in the past week that, totals 45 now in South Carolina for this flu season," Richardson said, and she reported about 843 hospitalizations currently. She said the state is approaching the peak seen last year and encouraged vaccinations (which reach effectiveness about two weeks after administration), staying home when ill and practicing cough and hand hygiene.
Richardson announced free testing days at county health departments for sexually transmitted infections, hepatitis C and HIV. The next free testing date is Thursday, February 6 (in recognition of National Black HIV and AIDS Awareness Day), with a follow‑up testing day on March 11. Richardson said appointments are preferred but walk‑ins will be accepted when possible.
Richardson also called attention to American Heart Month materials and actions for workplace and community awareness, noting that high blood pressure is a leading contributor to heart disease: "Nearly half of US adults have high blood pressure," she said, and only about one in four with high blood pressure have it under control. She shared handouts with steps residents and workplaces can take to reduce heart‑disease risk.
No committee action was taken; Richardson asked committee members to help spread word of testing days and prevention materials.
