Harrisonburg, Virginia (WHSV) – Some call this a “triple demic.” That happened late last year as flu, COVID-19, and his RSV cases surged across the country.
Experts said cases were trending downward nationally and federally.
Dr. Brooke Rothheim of the Virginia Department of Health said there are about 1,500 COVID cases per day throughout the state. When it comes to influenza, all counties fall into either the “low” or “minimal” local impact category. RSV case numbers mimic baseline numbers.
Still, many people are wondering why this sudden surge in cases happened.
“We know COVID has a seasonality. We’ve seen this before during the winter,” Rosheim said.
He added that despite the large number of cases, the data show that the number during the Omicron surge was higher than last year.
Similarly, influenza is also a more seasonal illness, usually peaking in the winter.
For RSV, many experts believe the sudden surge in cases has something to do with the country reopening after the COVID pandemic quarantine, Rosheim said.
“Schools have reopened and everyone is back in school. With RSV, it’s essentially kind of making up for cases that didn’t happen before,” he said. “About 1,000 in a week he was diagnosed with RSV cases…he was there for about four weeks, but everyone who was going to get RSV got RSV, so pretty quickly.” We have seen a significant decline.”
Rosheim stressed that it is too early to tell if the vast number of cases this season has ended.
“Just because FLU, COVID and RSV are in downhill mode doesn’t mean we’re going to stay there,” he said. “Sometimes there are some peaks in flu season… Another thing with COVID-19 is that COVID-19 knows there are several new variants around.”
VDH reports that the latest variant, XBB.1.5, accounts for 73% of COVID cases in the state.
“Vaccination is the best tool we have against COVID-19 and influenza,” Rosheim said.
He added that keeping hands and high-traffic surfaces clean and avoiding touching your nose, mouth, and face can also help prevent the spread of these diseases.
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