COVID-19 NEWS-United States: COVID-19, Flu And RSV Rising In Utah With Waste Water Surveillance Showing Elevated SARS-CoV-2 Levels
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Dec 29, 2023 3 months, 4 weeks, 21 hours, 30 minutes ago
COVID-19 News-United States: As winter tightens its grip on Utah, the state is grappling with an alarming surge in respiratory viruses, with COVID-19, the flu, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) on the rise. In an unsettling development, wastewater surveillance has revealed elevated SARS-CoV-2 levels, painting a grim picture for public health in the coming weeks.
Rising Flu, COVID-19 And RSV Infections Across Utah
The Department of Health and Human Services dashboard indicates a significant uptick in flu activity, characterized as a "rapid" increase. Emergency rooms statewide have witnessed a surge in patients presenting flu-like symptoms, surpassing both COVID-19 and RSV cases. Notably, the spike is most pronounced among individuals aged 5 to 24. While the current flu-associated hospitalization rates are deemed "moderate," outpatient flu-like illness rates remain classified as "low."
Adding to the concerns, COVID-19 and RSV activity have also seen a notable surge.
https://coronavirus.utah.gov/case-counts/
Local
COVID-19 New-United States coverages are also warning of rising outpatient hospital visits and also hospitalizations due to various respiratory infections.
Water Surveillance Shows Elevated SARS-CoV-2 Levels
The Utah Wastewater Surveillance System reported elevated coronavirus levels in 91.4% of wastewater testing sites, with 48.6% showing increasing levels. The only exception was Coalville in Summit County, where virus levels were categorized as "low."
https://avrpublic.dhhs.utah.gov/uwss/
On a broader scale, as of early December, 22 states, including Utah, reported "very high" COVID-19 wastewater levels, as defined by the U.S.CDC. This assessment compares current rates to baseline measurements at sites nationwide, highlighting the pervasive nature of the virus.
Wastewater analysis has emerged as a critical tool for tracking COVID-19 spread, given the limitations of testing and reporting. Utah's wastewater testing map, updated as of Monday, paints a concerning picture of widespread elevated virus levels, underscoring the urgency for proactive public health measures to curb the escalating crisis.
Rising Hospitalizations
With a weekly average increase of nearly 12%, new hospital admissions for COVID-19 patients rose from 19.7 to 22. Tragically, three COVID-19-related deaths were reported in the past week, underscoring the severity of the situation. Health officials emphasize that the current juncture is the "best time" to administer vaccines to combat both COVID-19 and the flu.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) particularly recommend vaccinations for those at an elevated risk for severe RSV, including adults over 60 and infants.
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The timing of vaccination campaigns is crucial, especially with the holiday season underway, prompting concerns about heightened COVID-19 transmission during increased travel and gatherings. Given the anticipated surge in activity this month, health officials are bracing for a further deterioration of the state's COVID-19 situation in the weeks ahead.
Significantly, the CDC recently sounded the alarm on low levels of COVID-19, flu, and RSV vaccinations during the winter, signaling potential challenges in controlling the spread of these respiratory viruses.
As Utah confronts this multi-pronged respiratory virus onslaught, health officials are urging the public to prioritize vaccination, adopt preventive measures, and stay vigilant in the face of a challenging winter season marked by the simultaneous surge of COVID-19, flu, and RSV. The state is at a critical juncture, and concerted efforts are essential to mitigate the impact on public health and prevent further strain on the healthcare system.
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