© 2023 KLCC

KLCC
136 W 8th Ave
Eugene OR 97401
541-463-6000
klcc@klcc.org

Contact Us

FCC Applications
Oregon's Willamette Valley seen from Eugene
NPR for Oregonians
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Available On Air Stations

COVID-19 Plus Influenza: First 'Dual Infection' Diagnosed In Lane County

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
/

Lane County Public Health officials announced Tuesday they have seen the first patient to be diagnosed with both COVID-19 and Influenza.

Public Health’s Jason Davis confirmed the patient contracted both diseases while in long-term care. He said such a dual infection is very serious.

“You know that is troublesome if we’re looking at the sort of cocktail of COVID and Influenza, can really spell disaster,” Davis added.

Oregon is currently in the low-risk category for Influenza. However, cases have begun popping up in congregate settings. And Davis said nearly 70% of the county’s COVID-19 outbreaks are in places like nursing homes.  

Since the start of the pandemic, health providers have been bracing for what has been dubbed a “twindemic” --when the coronavirus and Influenza spike at the same time. So far, this has not come to pass-- but flu season hasn’t peaked yet.

Davis noted the same tactics used to prevent COVID-19 transmission also work to limit the spread of Influenza.

Tiffany joined the KLCC News team in 2007. She studied journalism at the University of Missouri-Columbia and has worked in a variety of media including television and daily print news. For KLCC, Tiffany reports on health care, social justice and local/regional news. She has won awards from Oregon Associated Press, PRNDI, and Education Writers Association.
Related Content