The County Press

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In case you’re planning to get new reading material from any of the Lapeer District Library (LDL) locations, for the Christmas and New Year’s holidays the branch offices will be closed Monday- Tuesday (Dec. 24-25) and Dec. 31-Jan. 1.

However even when the LDL branches are closed, you can still get your favorite book. LDL patrons in their service area have access to e-books, audiobooks and more through Overdrive and hoopla. Overdrive and hoopla are available through its website or through an app on tablets and mobile devices.

For magazines, LDL patrons can check out RBdigital. RBdigital is an online service that allows any LDL cardholder access to more than 200 magazine titles. RBdigital can be accessed through our website or through an app on tablets and mobile devices.

The LDL service area includes the townships of Arcadia, Burlington, Burnside, Deerfield, Elba, Hadley, Lapeer, Marathon, Mayfield, Metamora, Oregon, Rich; the city of Lapeer; and the villages of Clifford, Columbiaville, and Otter Lake.

Winter Fun Day Camp is an opportunity for kids to learn about a variety of fun topics with the Lapeer County 4-H Camp Director during the colder months. For one low cost, the workshops will include attendance to two winter workshops Jan. 19 and Feb. 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the MSU Extension Office (lower level meeting room), 1800 Imlay City Rd in Lapeer Township. This twopart series will teach youth ages 5-12 fun crafts, science, origami, a visit by live animals and more. Registration fee (includes membership, lunch and supplies) is $20 for both workshops Registration deadline is Jan. 16 and Feb. 13. Preregistration is required-call 810-667-0343 to reserve space.

Lapeer County Health Dept. officials remind area residents the importance of getting vaccinated against the flu. Located at 1800 Imlay City Road in Lapeer Township, call health officials at 810-667- 0448 for times and vaccination costs.

On Friday, state health officials confirmed the first influenza-associated pediatric death of the 2018-2019 flu season. The reported death involves a child from Osceola County who was infected with influenza A/H1N1.

Flu is a contagious respiratory disease caused by different strains of the influenza virus and can result in mild to severe illness. Although Michigan has only experienced localized flu activity over the past few weeks, health officials strongly rec- ommend that everyone 6 months of age and older get a seasonal flu vaccine. Flu vaccine is the best way to prevent against getting the flu and can also reduce the severity of flu illness.

During the 2017-2018 flu season, only 39.5 percent of Michigan residents were vaccinated against flu, below the national rate of 41.7 percent.

Vaccine is especially important for persons at increased risk for complications from flu, including children, adults aged 65 years and older, persons of any age with underlying medical conditions, and pregnant women. Children less than 6 months of age are too young to be vaccinated and need to be protected by vaccination of their close contacts, including parents, siblings, grandparents, child care workers and healthcare personnel.