PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Respiratory illnesses such as COVID-19, RSV and the flu have been on the rise, and health officials expect them to shoot up even more now that holiday gatherings have wrapped up.
Most states have “moderate” to “very high” levels of respiratory illnesses, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. New Jersey is at the “very high” level, while Pennsylvania is “high.” Delaware is one of the handful of states that is “low.”
COVID-19 hospitalizations were up — close to 17% — and deaths were up 10% in the week ending on Dec. 23, according to the CDC.
Health experts are urging people to take precautions to protect themselves and those around them.
“If you can work from home if you’re feeling a little bit sick, that’s a great thing to do,” said Dr. John Russell, chair of the Department of Family Medicine at Jefferson Abington Hospital. “I think people should consider putting masks on again. Not forever and ever, but I think in a time when we’re having so much of this respiratory illness going around, especially if you are vulnerable, wearing a mask in public is not a bad thing.”
At least five states in other parts of the country currently have mask requirements at health care facilities. There are no such mandates in the greater Philadelphia area, but in western Pennsylvania, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center has one in effect, as of Dec. 20.
Health officials are also urging people to get vaccinated. The CDC released a health advisory in December saying not enough people were getting their shots.
“Low vaccination rates, coupled with ongoing increases in national and international respiratory disease activity caused by multiple pathogens, including influenza viruses, SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19), and RSV, could lead to more severe disease and increased healthcare capacity strain in the coming weeks,” the advisory says.
Less than 20% of Americans received the updated COVID-19 vaccine, according to the latest figures released by the CDC. That number is on par with the RSV vaccine, which the CDC recommends for adults 60 and older.
An estimated 42% of U.S. adults received the flu shot. Russell said there is still time to get one.
“The majority of flu activity over the last 35 years in the United States has been around February, so it’s not too late,” he assured. “So your doctor, I’m sure, still has the flu vaccine in the refrigerators.”