Livingston County’s Most Significant Health Threat Doesn’t Come from China

 

The Coronavirus/Image courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

By A.J. Harris with Todd Wineburner

The rapid spread of the coronavirus has grabbed headlines, but the Livingston County Public Health Department is reminding people that the flu is a more significant threat to Illinoisans. Two coronavirus cases have been identified in Chicago, but state public health officials say the risk of infection is low.

That isn’t the case with the flu. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that 140,000 people have been hospitalized over the last four months due to influenza. 8200 deaths have been attributed to the disease as well.

The flu season is far from over and the threat of contracting the flu remains high, so the LCHD is encouraging county residents to protect themselves from infection. For tips on avoiding the flu, visit their website at LCHD.us.