flu season - Briefly

Amid January flu and COVID landscape, some hospitals are asking patients to mask up again

Some hospitals in Chicago are reinstating mask mandates due to an increase in flu cases.

Masking is a low-cost way to prevent transmission of respiratory viruses in healthcare settings. [ more ]

www.npr.org

Navigating the respiratory illnesses including COVID going around post-holidays

Respiratory illnesses are on the rise after the holidays

CDC Director and health experts provide advice on navigating the peak respiratory virus season [ more ]

Miami Herald

Are you sick? Is flu season worse this year in Florida? 'Take precautions,' doctor says

Flu hospitalizations are rising across the country, with the most flu activity reported in the southeast and south-central areas of the U.S.

In Florida, while ER visits for the flu saw some decreases, it's still higher than the previous three years. [ more ]

HuffPost

Here's How Quickly You Can Get Infected With The Flu After An Exposure

Flu cases and hospitalizations are currently increasing in the United States.

Symptoms of the flu typically show up within 1-5 days after being infected. [ more ]

ABC7 San Francisco

Santa Clara Co. doctors see increase in RSV wastewater numbers ahead of Thanksgiving

RSV is on the rise in Santa Clara County, adding to an already busy flu and COVID season.

Wastewater monitoring data in Santa Clara County shows double the amount of RSV in the last month.

Babies younger than one and people older than 60 are most vulnerable to serious complications from RSV. [ more ]

Ars Technica

The infectious disease forecast for Thanksgiving is looking dicey

Flu is on the rise in most of the country, with high levels of influenza-like illnesses (ILI) activity in six Southern states and the District of Columbia.

This year's flu season is starting early, about four to six weeks ahead of the usual timeframe.

COVID-19 activity is picking up in two regions, while the rest of the country is seeing plateauing or slightly declining numbers. [ more ]

Boston.com

Public health

More hospitals are requiring masks as flu and COVID-19 cases surge

Hospitals in the US are implementing mask mandates and visitor restrictions in anticipation of an increase in flu, COVID-19, and other illnesses after the holidays.

Flu and COVID-19 cases may peak by the end of January and then decline, and this year's flu strain is expected to cause fewer deaths and hospitalizations compared to previous strains. [ more ]

Independent.ie

Public health

Covid and flu cases nearly double in a week as hospitals face 'significant pressure'

The public is being urged to only attend an emergency department for major health emergencies due to a steep rise in infections.

There are 30 outbreaks of Covid-19 in hospitals and 24 outbreaks in nursing homes, indicating an increase in cases. [ more ]

www.mercurynews.com

6 months ago

Public health

Health officials: Flu is soaring in seven US states

The U.S. flu season is underway with high levels of illnesses reported in several states.

Flu activity is rising earlier than usual, with cases reported in November this year.

The CDC estimates at least 780,000 flu illnesses, 8,000 hospitalizations, and 490 flu-related deaths so far this fall. [ more ]

New York Family

Parenting

Flu Symptoms in Kids: How Parents can Differentiate from the Flu, COVID or a Cold - New York Family

Flu season is in high gear with millions of illnesses and hospitalizations

80% of severe flu cases in kids were unvaccinated [ more ]

time.com

More Free COVID-19 Tests Are Available for the Holiday Season

The U.S. government is offering to send another round of free at-home COVID-19 tests to Americans for home delivery.

Americans who did not order tests in September can secure up to eight tests this time around.

The release of free COVID-19 tests comes ahead of the first winter since insurers are no longer required to cover the cost of them. [ more ]

ABC7 San Francisco