Arkansas
Northern Arkansas reports early season uptick in flu cases
HARRISON, Ark. (KY3) – The newest report from the Arkansas Division of Well being (ADH) knowledge reveals the state is seeing an early improve in transmission.
The state entered the “very excessive” class final week. In comparison with latest years, well being specialists say the early months of this flu season are tallying increased sickness counts. Usually flu peaks in January or February, however within the final month, the state has seen greater than 5,000 flu diseases.
“It seems like different diseases, rhinovirus, and enterovirus, issues like that appear to be having increased numbers making folks sick on the similar time,” mentioned Dr. Joel Tumlison, medical director for immunization with the ADH. “So, for flu, yeah, we are able to have elevated flu charges presently of the yr, however it’s sooner than regular. It occurs typically, however it’s undoubtedly sooner than regular to see charges as excessive as we’re seeing them on the finish of October and the beginning of November.”
Tumlison says preventative measures taken to keep away from COVID-19 led to considerably decrease case numbers for the flu during the last two years.
“In 2020-21, nicely, there was virtually no flu season to talk of, actually,” he mentioned. “It actually by no means received above the baseline charges that you’d see in the midst of the summer season. That was as a result of very excessive measures have been being taken to keep away from COVID-19, and that additionally labored for Influenza. Final yr not so many measures, however nonetheless, greater than are being taken now.”
In line with the ADH’s newest report, college absences in areas like Little Rock and West Memphis are notably excessive, particularly in comparison with parts of north Arkansas within the Ozarks.
Native college districts and daycares in Harrison say they’ve been lucky, not seeing the affect of flu transmission affecting attendance closely up to now.
“We’ve had a number of absences however no confirmed circumstances of flu,” mentioned Kim Sullivan, director with Coronary heart of the Ozarks Early Childhood Improvement. “We ship some residence; in the event that they’re operating a fever, we ship some residence as a result of we don’t wish to take an opportunity on anyone else getting sick.”
Tumlison has been with the daycare for twenty-four years and says she is aware of the challenges when flu season hits.
“Nicely, we clear on daily basis, clear all through the day,” she mentioned. “Particularly if we received a discover that somebody received the flu, we go in and do additional cleansing.”
Whereas circumstances are peaking proper now, medical doctors say that solely signifies the significance of getting a flu shot.
“Generally folks suppose if the flu season has already began actually dangerous, it’s too late to go get a flu vaccine, and that’s not true,” mentioned Dr. Tumlison. “Your private danger in the event you hadn’t gotten the flu but nonetheless stays excessive as a result of there’s nonetheless a variety of it circulating. So go get vaccinated.”
CLICK HERE to see the report from the ADH.
CLICK HERE to seek out out the place you may get a flu shot regionally.
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Copyright 2022 KY3. All rights reserved.
Arkansas
Purdue football adds another linebacker from Arkansas
Purdue football coach Barry Odom makes first public appearance
Purdue football coach Barry Odom addresses questions from media in first public appearance in West Lafayette
WEST LAFAYETTE − Purdue football continues to stockpile Arkansas linebackers.
After snagging Razorback Alex Sanford out of the transfer portal, the Boilermakers picked up a commitment from Carson Dean.
Dean was a redshirt freshman for Arkansas this season and played in two games.
Dean, from Frisco, Texas, was a three star prospect by 247Sports out of Hebron High who had 17 offers, including Purdue.
In high school, Dean was an all-district outside linebacker after compiling 85 tackles, including 21 for loss as a senior in 2022.
At the time of his commitment, Barry Odom was Arkansas’ defensive coordinator and Mike Scherer, recently hired as Purdue’s defensive coordinator, was the Arkansas linebackers coach.
Scherer recruited Dean to Arkansas.
Odom’s staff, in need of linebackers after Kydran Jenkins graduated and Yanni Karlaftis transferred to Northwestern.
Sam King covers sports for the Journal & Courier. Email him at sking@jconline.com and follow him on X and Instagram @samueltking.
Arkansas
Purdue lands pledge from Arkansas LB transfer Alex Sanford
Purdue is starting to pick up steam on the transfer portal market as former Arkansas linebacker Alex Sanford announced his commitment to the Boilermakers following an official visit to West Lafayette this weekend.
Sanford becomes Purdue’s second transfer portal pickup of the cycle and second from Arkansas, following quarterback Malachi Singleton, who announced his commitment to the Boilermakers earlier this week.
The redshirt freshman linebacker had committed to Arkansas to play for Barry Odom and Mike Scherer when the two were coaching in Fayetteville. Two years later he now follows the Boilermakers’ new head coach and defensive coordinator to West Lafayette at a position of need.
Purdue had a thin linebacker corps this season, which saw Kydran Jenkins and Yanni Karlaftis depart this off-season. Sanford now joins Hudson Miller, Winston Berglund and Owen Davis as players with experience at the linebacker position for the Boilermakers heading into 2025.
Sanford has had a minimal role on defense during his career, playing just nine snaps, but he has carved out a consistent role on special teams. Sanford had the third most special teams snaps of any Razorback in 2024, and 328 across his two seasons, serving on the kick return, kick coverage, punt return and punt coverage units, holding a 65.2 Pro Football Focus grade in that regard.
Sanford will have two years of eligibility remaining with the Boilermakers.
Arkansas
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