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SALT LAKE CITY — Utah is excited to return to Thanksgiving traditions after two years of restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic. But only because COVID-19 Just because it’s not common doesn’t mean we shouldn’t take precautions.
“Over the last few years, COVID has been the main thing we worry about spreading through families together,” said Dr. Per Geestland, a pediatric hospital physician at Primary Children’s Hospital and the University of Utah Health.
He said there has been little concern about COVID-19 this year Increased concern for RSV and influenza. Today, viruses still send children to the hospital.
“We live here,” Geistland said, referring to the Primary Children’s Hospital. “We used 95-100% of his capacity and he was very busy.”
He says we’re going to have a blizzard that’s going to go viral.
Geestland helps create High risk 20 years ago, this shows us that both RSV and influenza are on the rise today in most states. RSV can be especially tough on children, the elderly, and people with high-risk health conditions.
“I started in October and then it really took off,” the doctor said. “The slope of last year’s outbreak was slightly less steep. The slope has been very steep this year, which indicates very rapid transmission throughout our community.”
The flu is starting to recover in Utah, lagging the increases in hospitalizations seen in other states.
“We expect it to get worse going forward for a few more weeks before we start to see a lull in our flu activity,” Geestland said.
Meanwhile, COVID-19 still has more than 120 people hospitalized statewide.
On average, one person still dies every day from complications related to COVID-19.
“Covid is still there and definitely still causing problems,” the doctor said.
She says meeting sane people should be okay around the holidays. If you or your child are ill, stay home and avoid contact with sensitive people. It is recommended to wash your hands regularly and avoid close contact with anyone who coughs or sneezes.
“We’ve made great progress in vaccinating people against COVID,” Geistland said. “So we’re all feeling a little bit better, especially vulnerable populations.”
