Flu infections are climbing early, and pediatric hospitals are experiencing RSV spikes. As Americans move into cooler months, Covid-19 instances are also rising.
Morgan County closed a school and sheriff’s office. Lincoln County Schools in Tennessee are closed. Many pediatric hospitals are reaching capacity.
It’s earlier than typical and there seems to be a higher number of cases for this time of year, said Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo of UAB Hospital.
These increased cases worry doctors about hospital pressure. In September alone, hundreds of children had RSV. UAB Children’s Hospital’s Dr. Claudette Poole anticipates cases to quadruple by Thanksgiving.
“We expect a rise in influenza and RSV hospitalizations this season,” Poole said. Time will tell how long the children’s hospital will last.
RSV, like the flu, causes a runny nose, coughing, and sneezing. Doctors are observing a spike like in previous fall seasons and expect more cases in the coming months.
Most people use at-home quick tests, which aren’t recorded, making it impossible to monitor Covid-19 instances. Since October, the CDC reports Covid-19 cases weekly instead of daily. Dr. Varma says hospitalizations are the most reliable sign of Covid-19 cases, although they lag by two to three weeks.
It’s uncertain if the earlier start of the U.S. flu season would mean more hospitalizations and deaths. Australia, which has had winter, had a horrible season, while South Africa was fine.
Related Articles:
- Enjoy the 64th Annual Central Alabama Fair in Selma This Weekend!
- Prediction for LSU Tigers vs. Alabama Crimson Tide!
- The Secret To the Success of Alabama’s Conecuh Sausage!
