ST. LOUIS — A respiratory virus is spreading across Missouri and the nation, making more people sick. But after years of dealing with new viruses and unknown pandemics, area hospital officials say this cold and flu season actually feels normal.
“It’s winter and it’s strange to say this, but it seems like we’re getting back to a more typical rhythm,” said Dr. Alex Garza, chief community health officer for SSM Health in St. Paul. He spoke on behalf of the cathedral. Louis Regional Health System.
Winter is the season when colds and influenza are prevalent. Especially during holiday celebrations, people are more likely to be indoors and in close proximity to others. Viruses can survive more easily in colder temperatures and lower humidity.
In recent winters, overwhelming numbers of severely ill coronavirus patients filled hospital beds, raising concerns about the ability to cope with a severe flu season. As preventive measures such as mask-wearing and social distancing weaken, an unexpected number of children have become ill after being exposed to viruses such as RSV for the first time.
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Emergency departments and urgent cares are busy, but wait times are typical, Garza said.
“Breaking news,” he said. “I’m bored again.”
Although the new coronavirus has been added to the list of respiratory viruses, Garza said COVID-19 patients are not as ill as in the past, thanks to vaccinations and exposure to the virus.
“It behaves more like a typical respiratory virus that occurs in the winter and causes upper respiratory infections and coughs, but it is not having as dramatic an impact on the health system as it has in the past,” he said. . Before. “
The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 in Missouri has been increasing since early October, but especially since Thanksgiving, with 12 people hospitalized in Missouri this week, up from 518 a month ago. In the week ending March 23, the number rose to 752. Latest data available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
This is the highest number since last winter, when a peak of 942 cases was recorded in the week ending December 31, but it still falls short of the previous high of 2,982 cases seen in a week in January 2022, when the Omicron variant was prevalent. far cry.
Missouri is currently one of 18 states, mostly surrounding the upper Midwest, with a “moderate” rate of new hospitalizations due to COVID-19, compared to a “low” rate compared to the rest of the country. According to the CDC.
When it comes to influenza, Missouri is currently experiencing a “moderate prevalence,” while much of the country is experiencing high levels. Statewide data There were 210 confirmed influenza patients hospitalized in the week ending December 23, an increase from 58 a month earlier.
The number of flu cases could spike again in late March, but so far this flu season appears to be milder than recent flu seasons. However, except for the first winter of the 2020-21 pandemic, measures to prevent new coronavirus infections saw very few cases of influenza.
Although specific statewide data is not available, Garza said hospitals are also seeing an increase in patients with other respiratory viruses, including RSV, rhinovirus and enterovirus.
What was hard to find at the beginning of cold season were new vaccinations against respiratory syncytial virus for infants and new vaccines approved for pregnant women that could protect babies from respiratory syncytial virus. But now they are more readily available and could have an impact, Garza said. The vaccine has also been approved for adults 60 and older.
The CDC estimates that RSV brings 60,000 to 160,000 adults 65 and older to the hospital each year and causes 6,000 to 10,000 deaths in that age group. Among children under 5 years of age, RSV causes 58,000 to 80,000 hospitalizations and 100 to 300 deaths.
Garza said that thanks to education efforts during the pandemic, he’s seen more people wearing masks in public and staying home if they’re sick, which helps keep any virus at bay. This is an effort to do so.
“Because of COVID-19, people are becoming a little more aware of things like that,” he says. “People seem to be more aware of how respiratory pathogens work and are taking precautions.”