Alabama is sick.
The state is number six in the nation for COVID-19 cases and number 10 in the nation for cases involving the flu.
A team from Innerbody Research, a company that provides science-based information on health and health tips, conducted a study that involved the flu and COVID-19.
Alabama currently has the sixth most COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents and the 10th highest rate of influenza cases.
Virginia and Massachusetts join the Yellowhammer State with high cases of COVID-19 and the flu. Virginia has the fourth-highest number of both illnesses and Massachusetts is eighth in COVID-19 cases and fifth in flu cases.
“Both COVID-19 and Influenza are respiratory diseases that are often vaccine preventable,” said Ryan Easterling of the Alabama Department of Public Health. “Although COVID-19 severity has changed over the course of the pandemic due to many factors, some people with COVID-19 and/or Influenza will become severely ill, be hospitalized, or even die.
“The risk factors for severe disease are well-known for both conditions and the public should consider vaccination as part of a strategy of protection.”
The study also sought to allow the researchers a better understanding about how concerned Americans are about contracting this year’s flu versus contracting COVID-19.
The study analyzed state data from the Center for Disease Control and conducted a poll of almost 1,000 people on their opinion of the subject. It found work is the No. 1 place where 2 in 3 people are worried about catching COVID-19 or the flu.
The polling also revealed that two times as many people are worried about getting COVID-19, in comparison to the flu. The data specifically said 41.4% were more concerned with catching COVID-19, while 19.9% were more fearful of catching the flu.
Some generations are more concerned about catching COVID than others, according to the study.
Generation Z, according to the study, appears to be the most concerned about catching the virus registering at 50%. Millennials came in next at 40.2%. Generation X was polled at 39.9%.
Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.
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