America’s growing “triple threat” of Covid, flu and RSV has prompted the return of face masks in hospitals across the country.
Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows respiratory virus cases and hospitalizations are on the rise, with flu admissions up 48 percent in the week ending Dec. 23 compared to the seven days before — and more than nearly 90 percent are . during the same period in 2019, before the pandemic.
Covid hospitalizations also rose by 17 percent in a week, while cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which the CDC director said had “peaked” last month, also rose again.
And children’s hospitals in some states are feeling the pressure of the surge, as doctors say it’s the “worst” winter virus season they’ve ever seen.
The numbers, which do not yet reflect the impact of festive gatherings, have led hospitals in at least seven states to reduce mask requirements for staff, patients and visitors over the past 30 days.
In all, more than 30 hospital systems in 16 states recently rolled back restrictions.
This week, Mass General Brigham Hospital in Massachusetts became the latest hospital to reinstate a mask requirement, saying the measure was necessary because so many people on its wards were sick with respiratory viruses.
DECEMBER 23: The map above shows the incidence of flu-like illnesses by state for the week ending December 23, just before holiday gatherings. It shows that more than seven states had very high disease rates
DECEMBER 9: The map above shows the incidence of influenza-like illness by state for the week ending December 9
Surveillance shows the number of Covid cases increasing, with wastewater test data showing a sharp rise in cases
There are also signs that RSV infections are increasing again after a previously declining trend. CDC Director Mandy Cohen said they appear to have peaked
Although cases and hospitalizations have increased in recent weeks, these numbers are likely to continue to rise as they begin to reflect infections from large holiday gatherings.
Some experts also warn that cases will continue to rise in January as cold weather forces more people to stay indoors, where respiratory diseases can spread more easily.
Amid the surge, hospitals are re-introducing face masks to stop the spread of respiratory illnesses in their departments.
However, studies have not conclusively proven that face coverings prevent respiratory viral infections – even though millions of people were forced to follow the rules.
This is evident from the latest flu data In the week ending December 23, 14,732 people were hospitalized with the virus, compared with 9,930 in the previous seven days.
The flu test positivity rate – the percentage that detects the virus – rose from 10.5 percent in the week ending December 16 to 13.1 percent in the week ending December 23.
In the US, about a dozen states now report “very high” respiratory activity levels, and seven states – Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, South Carolina and Tennessee – report the highest levels measured by the CDC.
Just two weeks ago, only two states — Louisiana and South Carolina — reported the most flu-like illnesses.
The map above shows states where hospitals are reducing mask requirements in their departments for staff, patients and visitors in response to rising disease rates
Above you can see Covid hospitalizations for the week ending December 23. They rose 17 percent within a week
The above shows that flu hospitalizations this season increased by 48 percent to more than 14,000 admissions in the week ending December 23.
Estimates suggest that 73,000 people have been hospitalized with flu so far this virus season, compared with 39,000 at the same time in 2019 – before the pandemic.
An estimated 4,500 people have died from the flu so far this virus season, compared to 2,100 at this point in 2019.
Data showed 29,000 people were admitted with the virus in the week ending December 23, compared with 24,000 in the seven days before.
There were also 1,545 deaths recorded in the week ending December 2, the latest available, compared with 1,328 the previous week.
Wastewater testing showed that Covid cases rose by 15 per cent in a week, with 997 cases per milliliter detected in the week ending December 23, compared to 867 the week before.
Dr. Peter Hotez, dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College in Texas, told CNN, “Winter sees an increase in respiratory infections, especially respiratory viruses.”
“So it’s Covid, it’s flu, and we can’t downplay the importance of RSV.
“So it’s a triple threat and maybe a fourth threat because we also have pneumococcal pneumonia that complicates a lot of these viral infections.”
He added: ‘Remember, all these numbers are from when people gathered for the holidays. So don’t be disappointed or surprised that we see an even bigger increase as January begins.”
In response to the rising cases, Mass General Brigham today became the latest health system to reinstate face masks, saying the coverings are mandatory for staff and “strongly recommended” for patients and visitors.
The hospital system said in a statement: “As the percentage of patients admitted to emergency and outpatient departments with respiratory illnesses in the region exceeds 2.85 percent, our hospital will begin requiring face masks for health care workers who work directly with patients .” “
CDC warns of a new triple epidemic this winter
The agency issued a warning after detecting an increase in respiratory illnesses
“Patients and visitors are also strongly encouraged to wear a facility-issued face mask.”
Dana Farber Cancer Institute last week reinstated face masks for staff, patients and patient-facing visitors, while Boston Medical Center has also already implemented masks in the region.
In Chicago, local health officials urged hospitals to “step up” their efforts to combat respiratory viruses. Endeavor Health and Cook County Health in the region are among those bringing back masks for visitors.
In Los Angeles County, California, public health officials reinstated mask requirements for staff and visitors due to a “remarkable” increase in infections.
Hospitals in New York, Wisconsin, North Carolina and Rhode Island also restored face masks for staff and patients in December.
Care New England and Rhode Island-based Lifespan called for them on Dec. 28, saying the masks would help curb the spread of viruses.
They join more than 30 health systems in 14 states that have already implemented the policy — including Connecticut, Georgia, Kentucky, Ohio, Minnesota, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
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Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
