Confluence of RSV, COVID-19, and Influenza

Healthcare Ready Alert

  • New hospitalizations for respiratory illnesses, especially influenza and COVID-19, are spiking following the Thanksgiving holiday. Flu hospitalizations “remain at a decade high” and COVID-19 hospitalizations have increased more than 20% compared to the previous week.
  • While RSV may have peaked in some areas, overall increases in hospitalizations from COVID-19 and flu in adult and pediatric populations puts additional strain on hospitals that are already at or above capacity. Such strain, especially with months of the respiratory season still ahead, may further constrain capacity to care for critically ill patients of all ages across the US. 
    • Some facilities have reported upticks in illness in staff, creating staffing impacts that further constrain the surge capacity of hospitals and other facilities.
    • The uptake of COVID-19 and influenza vaccines will be a crucial factor for limiting respiratory-related hospitalizations throughout the winter months. 
  • As of 11/19, about 40% of children between the ages of 6 months and 17 years have been vaccinated for influenza for the 2022-2023 season.