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Thousands of SC residents grapple with flu as immunization rate declines
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) – As flu season continues, data from the Department of Public Health (DPH) shows thousands of South Carolinians have been getting sick.
Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a viral infection affecting the nose, throat and lungs. It’s a contagious disease that spreads through respiratory droplets. While most people are able to recover from the flu on their own, it can be deadly to vulnerable populations like young children and older adults.
Flu season usually begins around October, but cases tend to peak in the winter months between December and February. DPH has characterized South Carolina’s flu activity as widespread since the Flu Watch report released in late November.
According to DPH’s Flu Watch report released in mid-January, South Carolina is reporting sweeping effects due to the flu with over 20,000 lab-confirmed tests reported and 2,098 flu-associated hospitalizations for the 2024-25 season.
This is a sharp increase in comparison with the previous Flu Watch report released in early January, where only 14,000 tests and 1,492 hospitalizations were reported.
As of the most recent report, there have been 30 flu-associated deaths statewide this flu season.
Data from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) shows South Carolina is one of two states reporting the highest amount of influenza-like illness activity in the United States as of Jan. 18, with the other being New Jersey.
The Statewide Immunization Online Network (SIMON) Dosage Report also shows immunizations for the flu have dropped this season. Around 952,000 people, or 18.3% of the Palmetto State’s population, were administered a dose of the flu vaccine during the 2024-25 season, according to SIMON. In the 2023-24 season, SIMON showed around 1.18 million South Carolinians, or 22.7% of the state, got a flu shot.
Breaking the data down based on age, immunization rates for children between six months and 18 years old have remained steady between the two seasons.
SIMON’s data shows adults over the age of 65, however, have not been receiving as many immunizations this season. The data noted over 30,000 less of these older adults received flu shots recently when compared to the 2023-24 season.
According to the latest Flu Watch report, the following counties (highlighted in blue) have reported flu activity above the state baseline. Five of them are located in the Midlands region.
While flu season should be coming to a close soon, it’s still not too late to get a vaccine.
The Department of Public Health recommends everyone over the age of six months get a flu shot every year, due to the strains of flu changing from year to year.
You can get a flu shot from your healthcare provider or by going to a pharmacy. You can also call (855) 472-3432 or go to DPH’s website to schedule an appointment with one of the department’s clinics.
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As flu season ramps up, thousands of South Carolina residents are grappling with the virus as the state’s immunization rate declines. The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) has reported a significant decrease in flu vaccinations compared to previous years, leaving many vulnerable to the potentially severe effects of the flu.Health officials are urging residents to get vaccinated as soon as possible to protect themselves and others from the flu. The flu vaccine is especially important this year as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continues to strain the healthcare system.
With cases of the flu on the rise, hospitals and healthcare providers are bracing for a surge in patients seeking treatment. The flu can lead to serious complications, especially for young children, older adults, and individuals with underlying health conditions.
It’s crucial for residents to take proactive measures to prevent the spread of the flu, including getting vaccinated, practicing good hygiene, and staying home when sick. By taking these steps, we can help protect our communities and reduce the burden on our healthcare system during flu season.
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flu outbreak, South Carolina residents, immunization rate, flu season, flu symptoms, flu prevention, public health, vaccination, flu shot, community health, influenza, flu epidemic, contagious illness, flu treatment, flu virus, health crisis
#Thousands #residents #grapple #flu #immunization #rate #declinesInvestors grapple with big risks, sending stocks lower to start 2025
Markets seesawed on the first trading day of 2025 as investors grappled with big questions ahead of a change of power in Washington.
U.S. stocks jumped in early trading, but by early afternoon the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial indexes were down more than half a percent. The Nasdaq Composite Index, which contains more technology stocks, was off 127 points, or about 0.7%.
“The market can’t get a firm grip,” said Michael Grant, co-CIO and head of long/short strategies at Calamos Investments, which has $40 billion in assets.
“It’s easy to imagine that the second coming of Trump will amplify these extraordinary premiums that exist for U.S. risk assets,” Grant told USA Today. “The conundrum is that this is actually going on for a long time.”
Even though December’s “Santa Rally” fizzled, the S&P 500 gained more than 23% in 2024. Stocks have notched double-digit annual returns most years in the decade, thanks largely to strong corporate profits in many sectors of the economy and expansive fiscal policy.
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Some unease about whether those trends can continue may be starting to creep into the financial markets, Grant said.
“Investors need to scale back their expectations,” he added. “They need to avoid areas like Tesla, the AI narrative, and excessively valued growth stocks. Because that’s where the real risk lies, particularly if interest rates stay higher for longer in 2025, which is one possible scenario.”
Shares of Tesla, Inc. were down nearly 7% in the afternoon after the electric-car company announced quarterly and full-year 2024 delivery numbers that were slightly lower than those in 2023. Investors may also have been reacting to the New Year’s Day explosion of a Tesla Cybertruck, which killed the driver, and is under investigation.
Investors are also digesting the likelihood that the Federal Reserve will have to scale back its interest rate cuts – if not reverse course and hike rates at some point in 2025. The 10-year U.S. Treasury note has gained nearly a full percentage point since mid-September, when the central bank delivered its first rate cut in four years. Bonds lose their value, making yields rise, when inflation is higher.
Investors grapple with big risks, sending stocks lower to start 2025As the new year kicks off, investors are facing a myriad of challenges and uncertainties that are weighing heavily on the stock market. From geopolitical tensions to rising inflation and interest rates, there are significant risks that are causing concern among investors.
One of the biggest concerns for investors is the ongoing geopolitical tensions between major world powers, such as the United States, China, and Russia. The possibility of conflict or trade disputes between these countries could have far-reaching implications for the global economy and financial markets.
In addition, inflation is on the rise, driven by soaring energy prices and supply chain disruptions. This has led central banks to consider raising interest rates in order to combat inflation, which could potentially slow down economic growth and corporate earnings.
Furthermore, the uncertainty surrounding the Omicron variant of COVID-19 and its potential impact on the economy is adding to the volatility in the markets. The rapid spread of the variant has led to renewed restrictions and lockdowns in some regions, further complicating the economic outlook.
All of these factors are contributing to the recent selloff in the stock market, with investors grappling with the big risks that lie ahead in 2025. While the situation remains uncertain, many analysts are urging investors to remain cautious and diversified in their portfolios in order to weather the storm.
As we navigate through these turbulent times, it is important for investors to stay informed, stay vigilant, and be prepared for any potential challenges that may arise. Only time will tell how these risks will play out in the market, but one thing is for certain – investors will need to be resilient and adaptable in order to succeed in this challenging environment.
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