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Decemeber 21, 2023 | For Immediate Release
Ottawa County Department of Public Health Encourages Precautions to Reduce Illness This Holiday Season
(HOLLAND, MI.) – As temperatures drop in West Michigan, respiratory illnesses, including influenza (flu), COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), are on the rise. The Ottawa County Department of Public Health (OCDPH) is encouraging precautions for a safe and healthy holiday and winter season.
You can also prevent the spread of illness by:
- Staying home from work, school, daycare, or holiday gatherings if you have symptoms, even if your COVID-19 test is negative
- Washing your hands properly and often
- Testing for COVID-19; free test kits are available at covidtests.gov
- Increasing airflow in your home
- Wearing a properly fitting mask or respirator if you can’t stay home when you’re sick
- Covering a cough or sneeze
- Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces
Respiratory illnesses are contagious, and symptoms can vary. Some people, such as older people, young children, and people with chronic health conditions, are at a higher risk of serious complications.
Find more information about respiratory illness activity in OCDPH’s seasonal respiratory illness surveillance reports.
Reports of norovirus, sometimes called the “stomach flu,” are also increasing. Norovirus is very contagious and causes diarrhea and vomiting. Anyone who comes in contact with the virus can be infected and become sick. Prevention is important, particularly as people get together in groups for holiday celebrations.
You can prevent the spread of norovirus by:
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Washing your hands properly and often (alcohol-based hand sanitizers do not kill norovirus)
- Staying home if you’re sick
- Avoiding handling food or caring for others if you’re sick
- Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces
- Handling and preparing food safely
“Even though COVID-19 has gotten the most attention these past few years, any of these infections can put a significant damper on our holiday season, so it’s important to do what we can to try to keep all of our germs to ourselves, to make sure we’re not spreading disease along with our holiday cheer,” noted Dr. Gwendolyn Unzicker, OCDPH Medical Director.
The Ottawa County Department of Public Health works with our community to help assure conditions that promote and protect health. OCDPH’s vision is healthy people. For more information, visit miottawa.org/mihealth. Follow OCDPH on Facebook @miOttawaHealth, Instagram @miOCDPH, or X @miOCDPH.
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