As the respiratory virus season picks up in California, Health officials are urging residents to get vaccinated, aiming to reduce potential strain on the state’s Health care systems. Although the current conditions are not as severe as last autumn’s “tripledemic,” which included COVID-19, flu, and respiratory syncytial virus, the transmittable trio is on the rise. New COVID and flu hospital admissions are increasing in California, prompting Fresno County to take steps to manage the influx of patients in emergency rooms. RSV is the most concerning virus in California in terms of community transmission, and while levels of hospitalization for RSV are not as severe as last year, Health officials are closely monitoring the situation.
In addition to RSV, the flu season is just beginning across the country, and COVID-19 remains the primary cause of new respiratory hospitalizations and deaths. The latest COVID-19 subvariant, BA.2.86, is also being monitored for its potential impact. Global Health officials are also keeping an eye on a significant rise in respiratory illness among children in northern China.
The rise of respiratory illness highlights the importance of getting vaccinated, especially for older individuals, to protect against potential severe illness. California’s senior vaccination rates vary by county, with some counties reporting higher figures than others.
Despite the rise in respiratory illness worldwide, there have been no reports of children dying from this wave of pediatric pneumonia or causing excessive strain on hospitals. However, Health officials are closely monitoring the situation and urging residents to stay vigilant as the season progresses.
