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Fallon County public‑health director reports dozens of influenza A cases, some COVID positives; department to host pathways program with $60,000 award
Summary
The county health department reported weekly infl uenza A and COVID positives since January (about 31 flu A and ~16–18 COVID positives so far). The department will begin a 22‑month 'pathways to recognition' collaborative that brings $60,000 and an in‑person site visit in March.
Kim, the county public‑health representative, told the commission on Feb. 2 that the health department has seen sustained weekly positives for influenza A and COVID since January, and that the agency is tracking only laboratory‑reported cases (not home tests). "Since January, we've had like 31 influenza A's and I think, like, 16 or 18, positive covids," Kim said. "Just this last week, we had 11 influenza a's and 5 covids."
Kim said the department purchased multiplex tests that detect COVID and influenza A/B; the test purchase this month cost about $616.68, paid from multiple small funding sources including a short MidRivers grant and COVID fines. The health department will not count unreported home tests in the official totals discussed with the commission.
The department also agreed to participate in a 22‑month 'pathways to recognition' collaborative tied to public‑health accreditation work. Kim said the program will bring $60,000 to the county over 22 months and start with a February Zoom and an in‑person visit planned for March 17. She described the pathways work as preparatory steps toward accreditation, not an accreditation decision itself.
Commissioners did not take formal action on the health report but asked staff to continue monitoring disease activity and to coordinate logistics for the March site visit.
