NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. hospitals require masks, limit visitors to coronavirus as health officials face an expected but still troubling post-holiday surge in flu, COVID-19 infections and other illnesses. More and more places are putting restrictions on
NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. hospitals require masks, limit visitors to coronavirus as health officials face an expected but still troubling post-holiday surge in flu, COVID-19 infections and other illnesses. More and more places are putting restrictions on
Many experts say this season is likely to be less deadly than other recent winters, but could still result in hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations and thousands of deaths across the country. .
Last week, New York City imposed a mask mandate at the city’s 11 public hospitals. Similar measures were ordered last week at some hospitals in Los Angeles and Massachusetts. Some hospitals reinstated mask-wearing rules for employees months ago in anticipation of a seasonal surge in cases.
Influenza and COVID-19 infections have increased in recent weeks, with 31 states reporting high levels of influenza-like illness just before Christmas. The latest national figures are expected to be released Friday, but health officials predict infections will continue to rise in many states well into January.
“What we’re seeing now, the first week of January, is a real acceleration in the number of cases, especially for influenza,” said Dr. Mandy Cohen, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
I have good news. Cohen said influenza and COVID-19 cases could peak by the end of this month and then decline. Influenza cases are surging, but this year’s cases are due to strains that typically don’t cause as many deaths and hospitalizations as other strains. Additionally, there are signs suggesting that current influenza vaccines are well-matched to this strain.
“I don’t think it’s going to be overwhelming,” said Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease expert at Vanderbilt University. He judged this season to be “moderately tough.”
CDC refers the public to an agency Website Here people can look up their county and help decide whether to wear a mask or take other precautions. Cohen urged people to get vaccinated and receive treatment for influenza and COVID-19.
Officials say vaccinations are down this year. Approximately 44% of U.S. adults had received a flu shot by Dec. 23, according to the most recently available CDC vaccination survey data. As of early December, only about 19% of U.S. adults were reported to have received the latest COVID-19 vaccination.
The number of people infected with COVID-19, which causes more severe illness than the flu, has not increased as dramatically. Health officials are keeping an eye on JN.1, a new version of the coronavirus that continues to evolve. The Omicron variant was first detected in the United States in September and accounted for an estimated 44% of coronavirus infections just before Christmas.
The JN.1 variant may be easier to transmit or better at evading the immune system, but health officials say there is no evidence it causes more severe disease than other recent variants. officials said. Current evidence shows that vaccines and antiviral drugs are effective against this virus.
The CDC also reports disappointing vaccination rates against another seasonal bug, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Although this is a common cause of mild cold-like symptoms, it can be dangerous for young children and the elderly. According to the latest data, the number of people infected with RSV appears to have plateaued after an increase in the fall, and is now on the decline in some areas.
Hillsdale Hospital in southern Michigan began restricting visitors to its birthing center in late December after a 65% increase in respiratory disease activity. Only spouses, dependents, and grandparents can visit. They must all wear masks and avoid showing symptoms of illness.
Dr. Nicole Ellis, a pediatrician who is the hospital’s medical director, said the restrictions are common for hospitals at this time of year. But this season is even more difficult, she added.
“Before, we were only tracking or monitoring one disease at a time,” Ellis said. “But now babies and children will have multiple illnesses at the same time. They’re not just infected with RSV…but because all the illnesses are prevalent in our communities. They can be infected with RSV and COVID-19 at the same time, or they can be infected with influenza and RSV at the same time.”
___
Kenya Hunter in Atlanta contributed.
___
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science Education Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. AP is solely responsible for all content.
Mike Stobbe, Associated Press
