Hospitals around the state are seeing a rise in respiratory illnesses on par with typical increases in the winter months.
According to statewide wastewater data and hospital admissions data, cases of COVID-19 have been on the rise since December, along with RSV and Norovirus. State Epidemiologist Dr. Suzanne Bornschein also says influenza is newly on the rise and having a later-than-usual seasonal uptick.
“We’re a little bit higher than last year’s peak, but I’m not sure that we’ve peaked yet,” Bornschein said in an interview Wednesday.
The state has had two deaths so far due to influenza this season. Last year’s flu season had 32 deaths. Bornschein said the flu and other respiratory viruses disproportionately affect the young or the old – people “on the two poles of life” – and people with suppressed immunity.
As a result of the increase in winter illnesses, Brown University Health has instituted masking requirements in its overburdened hospitals.
This story was reported by The Public's Radio. You can read the entire story here.
