COVID hospitalizations four times higher than a month ago; respiratory illnesses on rise

Medical officials in Springfield and Sangamon County are reporting a rise in common respiratory illnesses as November begins, with COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus being the primary culprits.

The Sangamon County Department of Public Health reported that 21 people are hospitalized with COVID-19, four times higher than where it was a month ago when five people were hospitalized. In addition, officials at Memorial Health said 200 children had been admitted with RSV last week, with many being sent to emergency rooms to treat more serious cases.

"Our Urgent Cares are busy," said Anna Richie, clinical director of Memorial's Urgent Care facilities. "We are seeing a wide variety of presentations of respiratory illnesses. Many people have congestion and a mild cough, but some people are having difficulty breathing, require chest X-rays, high fevers and more severe symptoms. Some kids come in with mild-to-moderate colds (but) some kids come in needing help with breathing."

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Richie said in October, they had over 700 cases of RSV, 800 positive COVID cases, 350 cases of strep throat and 300 influenza cases, all signs of increasing danger as the winter months approach.

As temperatures get cooler and people gather inside for the holidays in a sort of post-COVID world, here's what to know about common respiratory illnesses and how to protect yourselves.

Why are there so many respiratory illness cases?

Public health officials placed a big emphasis on protective measures at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, with people being asked to wear masks, stay home when sick and keep a safe distance from other people. As vaccines began to be rolled out, those became a vital part of protective measures as well.

With mask mandates gone, some respiratory illnesses that weren't top of mind during the pandemic are reemerging, creating a complicated situation for officials seeking to keep illnesses in check during the colder months.

"This year, we expect more people to have respiratory illnesses," said Gail O'Neill, SCDPH's director. "Last year, for the most part, everyone was wearing masks, so people – especially the youngest – weren't exposed. We're cautiously optimistic, but we want people to be sure (and) be careful."

What is RSV?

COVID and its many variants have been well reported on, but RSV is less known in terms of notable respiratory illnesses. It's the most common cause of hospitalization in infants and is usually spread via air droplets, similar to COVID.

Usually, it causes mild, cold-like symptoms, but it can cause pneumonia in infants and older adults.

Richie said her staff had noticed an increase in RSV cases beyond the infant population, with older children and adults now feeling the sting.

"We are seeing kids older than age 2 and some adults get (RSV) this year," Richie said. "Probably, that is related to the fact that we were masked for the last two-three years."

What is the outlook on respiratory viruses?

O'Neill said that the department expects a rough year in terms of respiratory viruses, but hopes that preparation will help stave off the worst-case scenario of a "tri-demic," where flu, RSV and COVID are in circulation at high levels.

"Hopefully, we'll be prepared so that it doesn't happen or that people will take extra caution with hand hygiene and really staying home when they're sick," O'Neill said.

What do health experts recommend?

Richie said her staff at Memorial rely on the three Cs: clean, contain and cover. For the cleaning part, she recommends people keep surface tops clean and handwashing. On containment, she said people should stay home when they're sick. For covering, it's quite simple: wear a mask if you feel like it.

In addition, O'Neill recommends people get flu and COVID booster shots.

"We are encouraging people to get this newest booster," O'Neill said. "It seems like the uptake is not as commanding as when we first got COVID (vaccines) because we had no protection for a while and people wanted it. Now, with the bivalent (booster), people are coming in. We're getting 100 people a day and there's lots of places where you can get it. That is one of the very best things that people can do."

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: As fall continues, here's what to do to prevent respiratory illnesses