Amidst a surge in seasonal virus activity sweeping across the United States, experts emphasize the critical need for preventive measures, including masking and vaccination, as well as the significance of prompt treatment for those who fall ill. The latest data reveals a substantial increase in hospital admissions for respiratory illnesses, with tens of thousands admitted weekly. Read on for what the CDC has advised.
Vaccines can help prevent severe illness and death, but uptake remains low this season – despite a historic first, with vaccines available to protect against each of the three major viruses.
Amidst a surge in seasonal virus activity sweeping across the United States, experts emphasize the critical need for preventive measures, including masking and vaccination, as well as the significance of prompt treatment for those who fall ill.
The latest data reveals a substantial increase in hospital admissions for respiratory illnesses, with tens of thousands admitted weekly. In the week ending December 23, over 29,000 patients were hospitalized with Covid-19, around 15,000 with the flu, and additional cases with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Nationwide, the CDC reports notably high levels of COVID-19 in wastewater, surpassing last year’s figures in every region. Emergency department visits surged by 12%, while hospitalizations experienced a 17% spike in the most recent week.
Despite COVID-19 remaining the primary cause of respiratory virus hospitalizations, influenza activity is rapidly increasing. The CDC estimates over 7 million flu-related illnesses, 73,000 hospitalizations, and 4,500 deaths this season, with multiple indicators on an upward trajectory.
Although RSV activity is slowing in certain areas, overall measures, including hospitalization rates, remain elevated, particularly affecting young children and older adults.
Respiratory virus activity has been escalating for weeks, with two-thirds of the United States, including California, New York City, and Washington, experiencing high or very high flu-like activity, as per CDC assessments.
Nationally, hospital bed capacity, including intensive care units, is labeled as “stable” by the CDC. However, faced with elevated respiratory virus levels, hospitals in at least five states are reimposing mask mandates.
In the week ending December 23, over 230 U.S. counties witnessed “high” levels of Covid-19 hospital admissions, defined by the CDC as at least 20 new admissions for every 100,000 people. Approximately a third of the country, nearly a thousand other counties, reported “medium” Covid-19 hospital admission levels, with a minimum of 10 admissions per 100,000 people.
Vaccines can help prevent severe illness and death, but uptake remains low this season – despite a historic first, with vaccines available to protect against each of the three major viruses. Just 19% of adults and 8% of children have gotten the latest Covid-19 vaccine, and 17% of adults 60 and older have gotten the new RSV vaccine, CDC data shows. Less than half of adults and children have gotten the flu vaccine this season.
While vaccines and masks play a crucial role in reducing the risk of severe illness, treatments such as Paxlovid for Covid-19 and Tamiflu for flu are available. These antiviral treatments are particularly beneficial for individuals at higher risk of severe illness, including those aged 50 or older and those with underlying conditions such as a weakened immune system, heart disease, obesity, diabetes, or chronic lung disease.
