COVID-19 and RSV rates increase in South Florida

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — A COVID/RSV mix is ​​brewing in South Florida as we head into the fall season.

So what can you do to protect yourself and your family?

School has started again in Florida and COVID-19 numbers are rising.

Several weeks ago, the statewide infection rate was around 19%. Now, a few weeks after the start of the school year, that average stands at 24%.

It means nearly one in four Floridians are testing positive for COVID-19 right now.

“That’s why I want to urge the public to consider, with this increase in the number of COVID and RSV, using the vaccines as much as possible,” said Dr. Leslie Diaz, an infectious disease specialist for Palm Beach County. “And now that the RSV vaccine is available, if you’re over 60, I tell these people to definitely go get vaccinated.”

Díaz was on the front lines in South Florida, fighting the first wave of COVID-19 in 2020.

He said the virus has mutated as expected and is much less virulent, but his COVID-19 patients (after infection) are now starting to complain about something else.

“They don’t feel pain. They don’t have muscle pain. They don’t have joint pain. They don’t have a fever, but they just feel that their resistance is low,” Díaz said. “Over time, resistance improves, but in some people, after a month, they still don’t have difficulties, but they do see a difference.”

He said that, as in the first wave, older people are most at risk, while younger people are recovering quickly. But with RSV now in the mix this fall, it’s seniors who need to take action, according to the doctor.

“Patients have arrived with double infection and are sicker. There is no doubt,” Díaz said. “Both in the most pronounced hypoxia, pneumonia, and in chest x-rays or CT scans, so there’s no question that there is some degree of concern in that individual.”