Illinois Health Officials Warn of Mounting Respiratory Viruses
Illinois health officials are warning that a number of respiratory viruses are “mounting” in the state, with hospitalizations for COVID, flu and RSV all rising this holiday season.
Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that 44 counties in Illinois are currently at an elevated level for COVID-19 hospitalizations, while 39 are at a medium level and five are under the “high” alert. The state has seen a 20% increase in hospitalizations within the last week.
In addition to COVID-19, “broad acute respiratory hospitalizations” are also increasing for flu and RSV, and officials are particularly concerned about pediatric ICU capacity, which is already limited in some areas of the state.
“As we anticipated, we are seeing an increase in respiratory viruses – including COVID-19, flu and RSV – both in Illinois and across the nation,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. “IDPH is closely working with our health partners to educate the public, monitor our hospital capacity, and develop effective mitigation strategies as we experience this surge.”
In response to the surge, the Illinois health department has launched a new, infectious respiratory surveillance dashboard, updated every Friday. This gives the public access to data on hospital visits, seasonal trends, lab test positivity, and demographic data.
“During this critical period with hospitalizations rising, I encourage all of our residents to use the tools available to keep yourself and your families healthy and protected,” Vohra said. “These tools include COVID-19 testing (especially if visiting someone at risk for severe disease); enhanced ventilation; good hand hygiene; staying home and seeking treatment if sick; masking in crowded places; and getting the COVID-19, flu, and RSV vaccines for which you or your loved ones are eligible. These tools are especially critical for those most at-risk for severe disease including those who are over 65, immunocompromised, or have chronic medical conditions. And parents and caregivers: please also protect those young children given the limited pediatric ICU capacity in many areas of the state.”
The state is also recommending that health care settings once again consider masking “in patient care areas”. Meanwhile, IDPH’s counterpart at the Illinois Department of Human Services’ State-Operated Developmental Centers announced plans to ramp up COVID testing and “infection-prevention policies” in response to an outbreak of COVID cases among both residents and staff.
When it comes to holiday gatherings, Vohra urged hosts to consider “proper indoor ventilation” and encourage good hand hygiene.
“If someone is feeling symptoms of a respiratory virus – such as coughing, sneezing, sore throat, a runny nose or fever – it’s best to get tested and stay home so as not to spread illness,” the IDPH said.
The surge comes after officials warned of rising virus levels both before and after the Thanksgiving holiday.
“What we’re seeing now, you know, is not necessarily unexpected, as the weather has been getting colder as people have been gathering with their family members and loved ones for Thanksgiving,” said Dr. Brian Borah of the Chicago Department of Public Health. “And now in anticipation of the winter holidays, you know, we have seen the start of an increase again.”
Data shows that RSV levels have been increasing for a few weeks, while flu more recently started to climb. However, hospitalization levels in Cook County have not yet reached concerning numbers.
In order to help combat the potential strain on hospitals, health officials are urging people to get vaccinated for COVID and flu, and, if eligible, for RSV. Each household in the U.S. is also eligible for free at-home tests at COVID.gov.
As the country enters the holiday season, physicians are urging people to take extra precautions to stay healthy. With the proper precautions and an abundance of caution, it is possible to have a happy and safe holiday season.
