RSV, Influenza and Covid Cases On The Rise

DULUTH, Minn. — The holidays are a time to travel and gather with family and friends, but with that also comes an increase in the spread of seasonal sickness.

Recently, there’s been a rise in RSV, influenza and covid cases nationwide and right here in the northland.

St. Luke’s Infectious Disease Doctor Andrew Thompson said, they’re expecting influenza rates to only rise in the coming weeks.

As far as covid goes, there are new variants that have been coming out every few months. Cases of covid right now are going up.

Some hospitals are even starting to mask up again, or considering it like St. Luke’s, Thompson explained.

“Currently, we’re seeing a significant increase in covid cases in the community. They’re not as severe as they have been in past years, but that doesn’t mean that people aren’t getting pretty sick still with covid,”

Thompson went on to say that people at risk, like older adults, should avoid crowded gatherings. He also said that vaccines are the biggest protector.

“The most effective thing is a vaccine. Even when the vaccine doesn’t prevent illness, it helps prevent long covid symptoms, it helps your covid case be less severe, your more likely to avoid a hospital stay or a prolonged illness if you have a vaccine. So, that’s really the most effective thing to do.”

Thompson said to stay home if you’re sick and that wearing a mask is another way to protect yourself and others.