Flu, COVID, RSV on rise during holiday season
MetroCreative
The number of new flu and COVID-19 cases in Pennsylvania continued climbing during the week ending Saturday, but the sharp increase in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases has shown signs of slowing.
Influenza cases in Pennsylvania have been “rapidly” increasing during the flu season that began Oct. 1, according to updated figures from the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
As of Tuesday, 32,998 confirmed cases of influenza have been reported, and 24 deaths have been attributed to the flu.
Between Oct. 1 and Dec. 23, 460 flu cases were reported in Fayette County, 612 were reported in Washington County and 57 were reported in Greene County.
Cases are expected to rise since the flu season isn’t expected to peak until mid-January.
Statewide, the number of emergency department visits and new COVID-19 hospital admissions have continued to increase, with 837 COVID-related deaths reported this season by the National Center for Health Statistics.
Pennsylvania registered 5,080 RSV cases for the week, more than 300 fewer than the previous week, according to the DOH. In Washington County, 268 RSV cases were reported from Oct. 1 and Dec. 23, with 140 in Fayette and 20 in Greene.
“While COVID-19 rates have stabilized since last year at this time, influenza rates are up significantly; in fact they have doubled in some areas,” said Dr. Sundeep Ekbote, Regional Chief Medical Officer and Director of Emergency Medicine at Penn Highlands Southwest. “RSV is having an increased effect on adults as well.”
Ekbote said the increase may be due to some decreased immunity to influenza during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as increased activity and a return to pre-pandemic behaviors.
The Western Pennsylvania Regional CMO Consortium reminds people there are steps they can take to stay healthy, such as getting vaccinated and wearing masks when necessary.
UPMC, for example, is requiring masking at their facilities as Covid, influenza and RSV cases rise.
“The need for good hand hygiene and consideration of masking if symptomatic can help decrease the spread of these infections,” said Ekbote. “In addition, people are encouraged to stay home when feeling ill to reduce the spread of these viruses.”
The consortium notes vaccines for all three illnesses are available – but only about 40% of Americans receive the flu vaccination each year, and vaccinations for COVID are even lower.