CDC expecting rise in flu and COVID-19 activity
Nov 21, 2024, 7:00 PM | Updated: 7:05 pm
The CDC is expecting an increase in the flu and COVID-19 in the coming weeks. (Canva)
(Canva)
SALT LAKE CITY — The CDC is expecting an increase in the flu and COVID-19 in the coming weeks.
There’s already been increased RSV activity in the southern and eastern parts of the country, mainly in young children. The CDC is also expecting an increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations.
What about here in Utah?
According to Bear River Health Public Information Officer Estes Hunt, the numbers are looking a bit better in Utah.
“Everything is pointing that it’s not anything to cause great alarm about. It’s fairly typical — if not low — trends in the way of these respiratory illnesses,” said Hunt.
Bear River Health Epidemiologist Tanesha Holliday also said Utah doesn’t usually have a big increase in hospitalizations until later in the season, unless we have a repeat of a couple of years ago.
Don’t get comfortable yet
Even with Utah’s numbers being lower than normal, the CDC wants Americans to be mindful of this since gathering for upcoming holidays can often mean spreading sickness.
Bear River Health Disease Investigator Tanner Burnside said we still need to take the proper precautions.
“If you are sick, then I would recommend perhaps not being the one in charge of making the food.”
Typical precautions like hand-washing and having good hygiene are good modes of prevention, along with flu shots and vaccines.
Burnside has already experienced first hand the impact of vaccines when his infant got sick this year.
“Even though we’ve had a little bit of sickness in our house, we didn’t know exactly what it was. She’s been okay,” said Burnside.
Updated COVID-19 vaccines were approved in August by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. There are also RSV vaccine options and flu shots available through most healthcare providers.
