Hospitalizations Due to Respiratory Illnesses up Among All Age Groups
Vaccination is the best protection against the three viruses, Influenza, COVID-19, and RSV
According to the CDC, hospitalizations in the past four weeks have increased for all three respiratory viruses across all age groups: influenza by 200%, COVID-19 by 51%, and RSV by 60%. Notably, the combined activity levels of these viruses are more pronounced in the southern states, the Mountain West, and California.
Overall, people over the age of 65 have the highest hospitalization rate for respiratory viruses this season, with approximately 230 out of every 100,000 people in this age group hospitalized for COVID-19, flu, or RSV since October. Children under 5 also have a high hospitalization rate, primarily due to RSV.
In Ohio, respiratory illness activity is currently in the moderate range. As of December 9, cases of influenza increased by 1%, COVID-19 by 3%, and RSV by 0.7% from the previous week. Ohio Department of Health Director, Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, reported on December 18 that COVID-19 cases in the state have been rising, with a three-week average of 13,482 cases. The latest data, as of December 14, showed 14,395 new cases.
