Two flu-related deaths have occurred in Macon County as of Jan. 5, according to Jamie Waldroop, a nurse at the Macon County Health Department.
Medical Director Allision Smith said an individual receiving a flu vaccine is considered protected 10 days after it is administered, but the flu vaccine must be administered annually. Smith echoed Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advice on flu prevention including vaccination, frequent hand washing, covering coughs and sneezes and masking in crowded places.
Macon County Schools Public Information Officer Renee Burt said attendance has held steady as students returned to school last week, with most schools reporting least 90% attendance rates as of Friday, Jan. 9. Bartram Academy’s rate was 89.9% and Macon Early College did not return to class until the week of Jan. 12.
“We are hopeful that with the implementation of enhanced cleaning measures we will be able to maintain this trend,” Burt said.