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Health
Craig Helmstetter

Unwelcome holiday guests: RSV, flu and COVID-19 on the rise

Graph: hospital admissions in MN for RSV, Influenza & COVID-19
Data source: Minnesota Department of Health.
APM Research Lab

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Some unwelcome guests may be coming to your holiday celebration: Influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and COVID-19.

While none have yet reached the levels seen at this time last year, they are all on the increase once again.

According to data released by the Minnesota Department of Health on Thursday, 47 people were hospitalized due to influenza and 34 were admitted with RSV during the first week in December. This is the highest number of hospitalizations for the two seasonal respiratory illnesses so far this season, up from just 17 and 21 admissions, respectively, in the prior week.

The flu mainly impacts older adults. RSV is most prevalent among young children and babies but can also be dangerous for older adults. 

Last year, the season started slightly earlier and peaked for both the week of Dec. 30, when 295 people were hospitalized with the flu and 215 were hospitalized with RSV.  

COVID-19 is not necessarily seasonal but has tended to peak in early winter here in Minnesota. According to the health department’s latest data, COVID-19-related hospital admissions are currently much lower than they have been in each of the past four Decembers – but they are on the rise.

In the first week of December, 191 people, mainly age 75 or older, were hospitalized with COVID-19. This is a notable increase from the 124 admissions reported for the last week in November.

Additionally, according to the University of Minnesota, COVID-19 levels measured in testing at the state’s wastewater treatment facilities are also up: 11 percent in the past week and 119 percent compared to four weeks ago. Increases are even more dramatic in certain regions of the state.

And, as if the rise in flu, RSV and COVID-19 aren’t enough, the H5N1 “bird flu” continues to circulate among birds as well as dairy cattle nationwide, leading California to declare a state of emergency. As reported by NPR, the bird flu has now infected more than 60 people nationwide, mostly with minor infections. But two recent cases, in Louisiana and British Columbia, both led to hospitalization.  

Health officials continue to encourage vaccinations to help prevent severe illnesses from influenza, RSV and COVID-19. And for anyone with respiratory illnesses to seek medical advice and to “stay home when you are sick and take precautions to prevent spread.”