Richmond flu spike sparks hospital mask push
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Richmond-area hospitals are urging locals with flu-like symptoms to use masks when seeking care and asking visitors to delay non-essential patient visits amid a surge in flu-related hospitalizations.
Why it matters: The recommendations came this week as a joint public health announcement from every major local hospital system, underscoring the severity of this season's flu activity.
The big picture: CDC data shows there's been at least 15 million illnesses, 180,000 hospitalizations and 7,400 deaths from the flu this season.
- Many of these cases have been tied to "subclade K" — a new variant of the H3N2 virus, which emerged over the summer and wasn't specifically targeted in this year's flu vaccine, Axios' Herb Scribner and Jason Lalljee report.
- Flu-related hospitalization in Virginia remains high, according to the CDC.
By the numbers: As of the first week of January, the latest available, Virginia was reporting 12.7 flu-related hospitalizations per 100,000 people, per the CDC.
- Comparatively, COVID-19 and RSV hospitalizations were at 1.7 per 100,000 for the same period.
Zoom in: Hospitalizations are what health officials call a "lagging indicator," Elena Diskin, Virginia Department of Health's epidemiology manager, tells Axios.
- They often reflect people who were sick several weeks ago and are now experiencing complications and, therefore, are hospitalized.
- Flu cases in Virginia are trending down after spiking in mid-December, per the latest VDH data, she says.
Yes, but: Flu season runs through March, so it's too early know "if we will experience an additional peak or another increase in activity," Diskin adds.
- That's why it's important to get your flu shot.
Plus, per additional guidance from Bon Secours, HCA and VCU Health this week:
- Seek care if you're experiencing flu-like symptoms (and wear a mask)
- Wash your hands often
- Stay home if you're sick
- And cover your mouth when you cough and nose when you sneeze.
What to watch for: Common colds often begin slowly and emerge over several days, per the Mayo Clinic. But a case of the flu ignites within two or three days of coming into contact with the virus.