Dunn County facility reports influenza spike and near‑capacity census; Tamiflu offered prophylactically

Carmen, the community mentor administrator, told the Neighbors of Dunn County standing committee on Feb. 26 that the agency renamed its usual 'COVID update' item to 'respiratory infections' because influenza and other respiratory illnesses are circulating in the community and in the facility.

She said several short‑term rehab residents tested positive for influenza A and that the facility follows public‑health guidance to offer prophylactic oseltamivir (Tamiflu) to residents in an affected area when there are more than one influenza case within 72 hours; most residents offered the prophylaxis in a recent cluster accepted it. Carmen said all residents who contracted influenza at the facility have recovered so far.

On census and referrals, Carmen reported several figures across agenda updates: at the start of one reporting period the facility had 120 residents, recorded 72 referrals (6 admitted, 66 not admitted) and ended that month with 119 residents; she later said that as of the previous day the census was 123 and the facility's current maximum at the eight‑household configuration is 124 beds, with one bed likely to be filled that day.

Supervisor Lyon asked whether low flu‑shot uptake could explain the surge; Carmen replied that resident acceptance of influenza vaccines historically has been high and that strain variation and community trends also affect flu incidence. Supervisor Storey asked whether the recent deaths were caused by the flu; Carmen said the two recent deaths were not due to influenza.

The facility works with public health on infection controls and said it will continue monitoring cases and offering prophylaxis when protocols indicate.