CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) – Thanksgiving is over, but there are still plenty of holiday gatherings to come this year.
The holidays are a time to bond with loved ones, but health experts recommend taking precautions to protect yourself from respiratory illnesses. Health officials say that with new subvariants of Covid circulating, as well as RSV and the flu, family gatherings for the holidays can pose a risk for the spread of respiratory illnesses.
People at high risk include young children, older adults, and immunocompromised people. AMR’s Patrick Leonardo told 22News to get tested for COVID if they don’t feel well, before seeing their loved ones.
“We’re coming up to Christmas and New Year, and that was the peak when we saw our testing demand go up, and it was very heavy when it happened last year. It’s not as dramatic as last year, but we’re starting to see an increase in people getting tested,” Leonardo said.
Health officials say getting vaccinated against Covid and flu is the best way to protect yourself. Wearing masks and frequent hand washing are also other ways to mitigate the spread of disease. If you are looking to get tested for COVID, the AMR Covid testing site at the Eastfield Mall has reopened as of Thanksgiving.
