Health

Health

New Report Ranks Lakeland Fourth in U.S. in Incidence of Asthma

News Channel 8

The Lakeland metro area has the fourth-highest prevalence of asthma among U.S. cities, according to a new report from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. The report looked at prevalence of asthma, asthma-related deaths, and asthma-related emergency room visits. Dr. Kathryn Convers of Lakeland Allergy, Asthma and Immunology tells News Channel 8 that her practice has a three-month waiting list for new patients and she frequently diagnoses asthma in patients referred to her for other ailments. | The AAFA report | More

Health

New COVID Cases Reported in Polk Are Declining

polk covid level rated high

Polk County’s latest uptick in COVID-19 cases has peaked. The number of new cases has shown a downward trend over the last four weeks after increasing steadily over a four-month period, according to weekly tallies reported by the Florida Department of Health and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More

Health

Three Monkeypox Cases Reported in Polk County

monkeypox - cdc image
CDC

Polk County has three known cases of monkeypox, all reported this month, according to the Florida Department of Health. The virus is spreading globally, and it was declared “a public health emergency of international concern” by the World Health Organization on Saturday. More

Health

COVID Positive Testing Rate in Polk Climbs to 23%

Fox 13 News

The proportion of people in Polk County whose COVID-19 tests turn out positive is nearly one in four, which is higher than the state average, Fox 13 News reports. While the prevalent Omicron variants are not as virulent as previous strains, patients say it’s no picnic. Reporter Ken Suarez interviews Lakeland Regional Health’s Dr. Hal Escowitz and two recent victims: Kimberly Moore of LkldNow and Terry Coney of the NAAPC. ALSO: The Ledger | LkldNow tracking chart | More

Health

CDC Recommends Indoor Masking in Polk as Infections Rise

Polk is among a growing number of Florida counties where the Centers for Disease Control is recommending indoor masking as the number of infections here has risen steadily from a low of 230 case in the last week of March to 2,116 last week. More

Health

Polk Doctors Report Unexpected Late-Season Flu Levels

News Channel 8

Polk County doctors and health organizations say they are seeing an unexpected and unseasonal rise in flu and other respiratory viruses, News Channel 8 reports. Polk is one of two Florida counties reporting “moderate flu activity” for the last week in April, and patients are having trouble finding Tamiflu, the station reports. Physicians recommend flu shots for those who have not received one this flu season. | Florida DOH flu summary | More

Health/ People

Mask Ruling Puts Federal Judge From Lakeland in National Spotlight

CNN

U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle, a 35-year-old Lakeland native, is in the national spotlight after her ruling struck down the Biden administration’s mandate requiring masks on public transportation, CNN reports. Mizelle, the 2005 valedictorian at Lakeland Christian School, was appointed to the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida by former President Donald Trump in 2020. MORE REPORTING: The Ledger | Tampa Bay Times via MSN | 10 Tampa Bay

Health/ People

Watson Clinic Adds Chiropractic Care to Its List of Services

Jaylen Banks
Jalen Banks

Watson Clinic is joining a growing number of medical practices that are adding chiropractic care to its list of services. Chiropractor Jalen Banks recently began seeing patients at the Watson Clinic Center for Specialized Rehabilitation on E. County Road 540A and Lakeland Highlands Road. More

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