Emergency rooms across the country are bracing for a possible triple epidemic of illnesses as cases of flu, COVID-19, and RSV start to increase. Health officials are growing increasingly concerned about the surge in these illnesses, which could put a strain on healthcare systems.
The Centers for Disease Control reported at least 780,000 flu illnesses and nearly 500 deaths from October until last week. Dr. Brownstein, a physician, shared that certain age groups and individuals with prior medical conditions are more vulnerable to severe cases and even death from these three illnesses. “For those that are the youngest, those are the oldest. For those who have underlying conditions, the flu infection can be especially deadly,” Brownstein said.
While flu hospitalizations have been lower than they were at this time last year, there is a similar pattern of spikes in southern states. Additionally, many veterans are at risk of losing their homes after the COVID mortgage forbearance program ends. As the situation continues to evolve, health officials and healthcare providers will need to remain vigilant in order to provide the best care possible to those in need.