KALAMAZOO, MI — After an October surge in the number of new coronavirus cases in Kalamazoo County, a local healthcare provider is offering residents a chance to ask questions about the virus, as well as this year’s flu season.
In the last 14 days, Kalamazoo County has averaged 59 new coronavirus cases daily. That is down from a 14-day average of 66 new cases/day, reported on Oct. 17, but still a much higher average than the county saw prior to October.
In response to the uptick in cases, the Family Health Center is hosting a healthcare chat from 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28, at FHC’s Paterson campus, 117 W. Paterson St. The session will be in the second-floor waiting area of the Moses L. Walker Building.
After evaluating the response to the first spike in the spring, healthcare providers at the Family Health Center repeatedly heard the feedback that patients were frustrated and felt neglected said Denise Crawford, president and CEO of Family Health Center.
“Stay home and quarantine sounded like ‘go away’ to them,” she said.
To get out in front of this fall’s spike in cases, the Family Health Center partnered with WMed healthcare providers to create a free consultation event. No appointment is needed and you don’t have to be a patient at the Family Health Center to attend.
The event is intended to meet families where they are rather than fit a one-size fits all model, Crawford said.
The event will be in-person. Each group or family will be taken into a separate exam room and have one-on-one time with a physician from WMed. Both data and patient feedback have shown that the “eyes-on connection” is more effective for education, Crawford said
The event will adhere to social distancing and sanitation guidelines and masks will be required.
“We wanted to be proactive and do it now because there will be a time when we can’t meet in-person,” Crawford said, referring to the ongoing surge of cases across the county and state.
Last week, the county’s COVID-19 data hub recorded a spike of 63 confirmed new cases and seven probable cases on Tuesday, Oct. 20. The seven-day average was 68 new cases per day.
Cases have declined from the spike, but remain overall high with 22 confirmed new cases reported on Monday, Oct. 26. The seven-day average was 46 new cases per day.
This month, the seven-day average of new cases have stayed higher than April’s highest seven-day average of 24 new cases per day.
This surge is reflected in hospital data as well.
There have been 27 coronavirus patients hospitalized this month in Kalamazoo County as of Oct. 26. In September, that number was down to 18 hospitalizations. In April, the month with the most coronavirus hospitalizations, there were 71 patients.
Flu shots will also be available at Family Health Center’s upcoming Q&A session. Healthcare providers are urging the public to get vaccinated for the flu to help control the spread of the virus and avoid the overlap of flu and COVID-19 patients in the hospital.
“We’re facing the double whammy of flu season and an ongoing global pandemic,” Crawford said. “COVID-19 cases are spiking, and a vaccine isn’t ready yet. The best thing people can do for themselves and their families is to protect themselves from the flu by getting immunized, and to take precautions to avoid getting coronavirus.”
This year, the county health department is pushing for 51% of Kalamazoo County residents to get the flu shot. The county website now includes a flu shot tracker marking weekly progress. So far, 19.49% of the county has gotten a flu shot.
The Family Health Center has also organized a drive-thru flu shot clinic scheduled 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, at Loy Norris High School.
Residents as young as six months old can receive a flu shot. The vaccine will be administered through the car so healthcare professionals ask that patients have their coats removed and their upper arm exposed for the shot.
The drive-thru clinic cost is $20 cash or credit. Those who wish to pay through insurance can get a flu shot in the clinic or in their car at either Family Health Center location.
More on MLive:
Jump in Kalamazoo County coronavirus cases linked to social gatherings, not businesses reopening
Hospital sees increase in younger coronavirus patients as Kalamazoo County cases pass 3,500
Kalamazoo County offers flu shot drive-thru clinic
