Local doctors discuss trends in Flu, RSV, and Covid-19 this respiratory virus season

Fall and winter months are generally when viruses that causes respiratory illnesses tend to spread among communities, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

As of November 13, the CDC reported the amount of respiratory illness causing people to seek healthcare is low in most areas of the country. However, the number of jurisdictions experiencing high or moderate levels continues to slowly increase.

COVID-19 remains the cause of most new respiratory virus hospitalizations and deaths nationwide. Sustained RSV activity continues, with most parts of the country experiencing elevated activity. Influenza activity is increasing throughout much of the country. Hospital bed occupancy and capacity, including within intensive care units, remain stable nationally. Vaccines are available and can help protect people from the most serious health effects of fall and winter viruses.

• COVID-19 test positivity (percentage of tests conducted that were positive) has not changed nationally, and emergency department visits and hospitalizations remain stable. 
• National test positivity, emergency department visits, and hospitalizations for influenza are increasing.
• RSV emergency department visits and hospitalizations continue to increase across the country. RSV-associated hospitalization rates remain elevated among young children and are beginning to increase among older adults; of note, only 13.5% of adults 60+ report having received an RSV vaccine that offers protection against severe disease.
• National vaccination coverage for COVID-19, influenza, and RSV vaccines increased slightly for children and adults since last week but remain low.

Vaccines are available and can help protect people from the most serious health effects of fall and winter viruses.

News Channel 3 is checking in with some of our local doctors at Eisenhower Health and Desert Regional to see how the trends being reported across the country compare to whats happening in the Coachella Valley.

Tune in at 5:00 p.m. tonight for more on the story.