US hospital admissions rise as respiratory viruses continue to spread: report

U.S. health officials warned on Monday that almost every state in the country combating high levels of influenza-like illnessas numerous respiratory viruses continue to circulate during the holiday season.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a telebrief Monday that they are seeing signs of an early and severe flu season — with thousands of deaths reported — as cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) remain high and COVID-19 infections continue.

CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky reportedly said doctor visits with respiratory symptoms were high or very high in 47 jurisdictions over the Thanksgiving period, with the number of hospitalized flu patients nearly doubling from the previous week.

Experts said it is likely that more cases of respiratory viruses have occurred during holiday gatherings and at overcrowded airports.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) director Rochelle Walensky delivers opening remarks at Senate hearings on health, education, labor and pensions. "Next steps: the way forward for COVID-19 response" on Capitol Hill in Washington, November.  4, 2021.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Rochelle Walensky delivers opening statement during a Senate hearing on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions on “Next Steps: The Way Forward for the COVID-19 Response” on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. november. 4, 2021.
(Reuters/Elisabeth Franz)

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The number of hospitalizations due to COVID-19 is also on the risewhile the CDC noted that some cases of RSV appear to peak in the south and southeast.

“Although it’s reassuring, respiratory viruses continue to spread at high levels across the country, and even in areas where RSV may be declining, our hospital systems remain overwhelmed with large numbers of patients with other respiratory illnesses,” Walensky added.

On Friday, the CDC reported that 7.5% of outpatient medical visits last week were due to flu-like illness, and that 44 states reported high or very high flu activity.

The flu vaccine is being prepared at the LA Care Community Resource Center and Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plans, where they offered free flu and COVID-19 vaccines to members and the public on Friday, October.  October 28, 2022 in Lynnwood, California.

The flu vaccine is being prepared at the LA Care Community Resource Center and Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plans, where they offered free flu and COVID-19 vaccines to members and the public on Friday, October. October 28, 2022 in Lynnwood, California.
((AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill))

In Indiana’s largest healthcare system, hospitals have visitor restrictions in place.

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“The flu has hit Marion County hard right now and much earlier than in recent years,” the doctor said. Virginia Kane, director of the Marion County Health Department, said Monday.

Washington state health authorities said on the west coast flu activity was very high there at the beginning of the month.

An electron micrograph reveals the morphological features of the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

An electron micrograph reveals the morphological features of the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
((Photo by BSIP/UIG via Getty Images))

“These respiratory illnesses are coming back, and they are coming back in full force,” said Jason Montemayor, Medical Director of the Northwest Region in Providence.

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Meanwhile, in New Mexico, health officials who said hospitals and emergency departments were running over capacity demanded that hospitals return to a star-and-hub model to ensure patients get the care they need amid growing pediatric hospitals. cases. RSV.

On Thursday, the New Mexico Department of Health declared a public health emergency.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.