Respiratory Illnesses Stressing Health Care Settings
12/2/2022
Aspirus Health Care Workers
A spike in respiratory
illnesses is straining capacity at health care facilities locally and
nationally.
Cases of COVID-19,
respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza are on the rise following the
Thanksgiving holiday. This is driving increased traffic and longer wait times
across emergency departments, inpatient and outpatient settings at Aspirus and hospitals
nationwide.
Some of Aspirus’
walk-in clinics are reporting that 70 percent of patients are currently
presenting with symptoms of respiratory illness.
“We are starting to
get very full across our hospitals and our clinics are seeing a lot of people,”
said Jeff Wicklander, Aspirus SVP and President of the Aspirus Central Region.
“This is a national issue. We’re seeing the same issues with COVID-19, RSV and
flu like the rest of the country.”
Thirty-five states and
regions are reporting either "high" or "very high" activity
of influenza-like illnesses, according to CDC's Weekly U.S. Influenza
Surveillance Report, as flu cases continue to surge throughout the country.
“It appears that we’re
going to be in for a very tricky winter season as we go through influenza,”
Wicklander said. “We haven’t seen volumes this high for all three viruses for
the past couple of years, so please be cognizant of that and if you’re not feeling
well, please isolate.”
Members of the
community can help their local health care facilities by using the lessons
learned from the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Understand whether you should contact
your primary care provider or go to a walk-in clinic or the Emergency Department. (Many health
concerns can be addressed by your PCP. Consider contacting your clinic for
appointment options.)
- Utilize virtual
options such as MyAspirus video
visits and e-visits.
- Get vaccinated for
both flu and COVID-19 if you’re eligible.
- Continue to practice
safety measures including hand hygiene, masking, and social distancing as
appropriate.
- Stay home and away
from others if you or your children are not feeling well.
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