Maine influenza, COVID-19, RSV circumstances excessive, however dropping

Consultants at Maine’s largest healthcare organizations say influenza and different respiratory sicknesses aren’t as dangerous because the earlier flu season, however numbers are nonetheless greater than typical.

“We’re nonetheless seeing a major quantity of respiratory sicknesses,” stated Dr. James Jarvis, medical director of scientific training at Northern Gentle Japanese Maine Medical Middle.

Throughout the 2022-2023 flu season, specialists have been alarmed at an often excessive spike in circumstances and hospitalizations that came about in December 2022.

Within the present flu season, which started in October 2023, information from the Maine Middle for Illness Management and Prevention exhibits case counts are nowhere close to that peak. Nevertheless, these numbers have been steadily growing since December 2023.

Maine CDC’s newest flu information, launched on Tuesday and protecting the week ending Jan. 20, exhibits a slight decline in hospitalization charges and outpatient flu-related well being care supplier visits in comparison with early January. Within the week ending Jan. 20, Maine CDC recorded 29 flu-related hospitalizations.

Regardless of the decline, Dr. Dora Anne Mills, Chief Well being Enchancment Officer at MaineHealth, was not ready to say flu has peaked in Maine.

“We’re not at that time but,” she stated.

Jarvis additionally stated “it’s nonetheless a bit bit early for us to inform in Maine” whether or not flu is peaking.  

There’s proof of a peak in flu season nationwide, he stated, however Maine tends to lag the remainder of the nation concerning influenza, suggesting that the height could also be but to return.  

Mills additionally famous that it’s common for Maine to have multiple peak for influenza in a single season.

Each specialists famous that hospitalizations for the flu, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus, generally often known as RSV, whereas excessive, have all declined in latest weeks. Jarvis stated he thinks the latter illness might need peaked in Maine for the season.

“It seems to be like the height for RSV is over, and that tends to be the case we often see in January,” he stated.

For COVID-19, Jarvis stated circumstances at Japanese Maine Medical Middle have dropped from 15-20 per day in early January to 10-15 per day now.  

Mills additionally famous counts had dropped at MaineHealth amenities, however each she and Jarvis famous that COVID-19 doesn’t have a “season” or “peak” the way in which influenza and RSV do.

“COVID hospitalizations are likely to correlate extra with new variants than with chilly climate, so we might have future peaks anytime there’s a new variant,” she stated. “The underside line is to remain up to date on COVID vaccines, for the reason that up to date vaccines, similar to with influenza vaccines, mirror circulating virus strains.”

With flu season anticipated to final till the tip of Might, Jarvis stated, it’s nonetheless a good suggestion to get an annual flu vaccine, for individuals who haven’t accomplished so but. Updating COVID-19 vaccinations are additionally a good suggestion and, for individuals who are eligible or want it, RSV.

Jarvis additionally provided the time-honored recommendation of ceaselessly washing palms, staying dwelling for individuals who don’t really feel properly, getting examined for COVID-19 if they’ve respiratory signs, staying hydrated and heat, and carrying a masks in public, particularly for individuals who could also be significantly weak to respiratory ailments.

Mills stated that recommendation is much more essential for individuals who could also be visiting a relative in a long-term care facility. 

“Hospitals throughout Maine and far of the nation have had ongoing capability points, for quite a lot of causes, however a significant purpose is that long run care amenities aren’t capable of take sufferers needing to be transferred from hospitals as a result of they’ve workers out sick or residents sick with COVID or influenza,” she stated.