Protect Yourself And Your Family From Illness This Holiday Season

With large gatherings expected during the holiday season, Cookeville Regional Medical Center prepping for an uptick in flu and COVID cases.

CRMC Infection Prevention Manager Stephanie Etter said an uptick in sickness is common after holiday gatherings. She said there are several ways to protect yourself and your family while together.

“You can make sure that you are doing good handwashing, have plenty of hand sanitizer available when you gather indoors,” Etter said. “If you can, crack a window. That will allow fresh air to come in and helps prevent some of the germs from being so high in the room.”

Etter said for the large meals typically had at family gatherings, it is important for people to make sure they are covering their mouths if sneezing or coughing. She said if possible to have items that are individually wrapped to have as little touch as possible.

Etter said the diseases to watch for this year are COVID, Flu, and RSV. Etter said CRMC is watching for COVID case increases in particular, as cases are beginning to supersede flu cases.

“It does look like the COVID surge is starting to increase in our state,” Etter said. “So again, if you have not gotten your COVID booster, the new bi-valent booster, take that into consideration. Talk to your doctor about it. It is expected to prevent hospitalizations.”