At Hale County Hospital, it is our mission to pursue and promote healing, improved health, and improved quality of life of the residents of Hale County and surrounding communities. Our focus is on relationship and community-centered healthcare complemented by programming, activities, and community partnerships that support improved health and quality of life of our neighbors. We believe relationship-based and high-touch healthcare allows us to get to know our patients in ways that less personal systems are unable to achieve. We also believe in educating our community in Hale County and surrounding areas on how they can keep themselves and their loved ones safe and healthy.
There’s a new version of the COVID virus called JN.1, and health experts are keeping a close eye on it. This variant has some different features in its genetic makeup, and scientists are studying how it might affect how the virus spreads, how sick it makes people, and whether vaccines work against it. Right now, it’s important to pay attention to updates from health authorities.
As for symptoms, they may be similar to what we’ve seen with other COVID strains, like fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. The JN.1 variant appears to be highly contagious, as it has become the most dominant strain of COVID-19 in the United States in just 4 weeks. This “wave” of COVID- 19 infections is the largest we have seen since the Omicron variant spread in December 2021/January 2022. The good news is while cases have had high numbers, hospitalizations have not been as high with this variant, which means this variant is less likely to cause serious illness.
You can still do your part to stay healthy and reduce the risk of getting sick by remembering to practice good hygiene habits. Wash your hands regularly, wear a mask in crowded places, and keep a safe distance from others. If you haven’t already, it’s not too late to receive the latest COVID-19 booster vaccine. Additionally, staying informed about the latest updates on the JN.1 variant and following any recommended guidelines will help everyone play their part in preventing the virus from spreading further.
