Is Forewarned Forearmed? The COVID-19, Influenza, & RSV Data

COVID-19, RSV, and Influenza Stats for last week

The latest Respiratory Viral Diseases data for the week ending 01-20-24 are now in for Connecticut. They depict how Connecticut is faring with COVID-19, Influenza, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). As you view the attached charts, please note that the last two lines of data in each is an incomplete number. These consistently increase over the following two weeks as newly submitted figures are sent to CT-DPH and the CDC. Don't mistake the lower figures there to be a decrease. As a result, the entire set of data needs to be completely re-entered every week from the revised official data bases (see the embedded links) in order to add in the additional newly reported cases, hospitalizations and deaths.

So far, during this Respiratory Viral Disease Season in CONNECTICUT (10-01-23 to 6-01 24), these are our figures for teh week ending 01-20-24:
Influenza: 13,056 Cases 874 People Hospitalized 42 People Dead
COVID-19: 38,818 Cases 5,152 People Hospitalized 306 People Dead
RSV: 12,212 Cases 1,267 People Hospitalized 50 People Dead

As you view our significant respiratory illness impact following the November/December family and group-gathering holidays, please recall that our vaccine rates for influenza and RSV are not great (cdcfluvaxview - Yahoo Search Results) (Peak Season for Respiratory Diseases Is Near: There Is Still Time to Get Vaccinated | CDC), and Connecticut's COVID-19 vaccine rates for the newest and targeted mRNA vaccine remain abysmally low across every age group (by Age (CT-DPH) (Microsoft Power BI (powerbigov.us)).

The JN.1 COVID-19 mutation, which is highly contagious, accounts for about 86% of our cases (https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/cdc-says-jn1-variant-accounts-about-86-covid-cases-us-2024-01-22/)). This latest vaccine was developed to target our newest variants. While these mutations do not make their victims more ill than prior versions, they are far more contagious and therefore more easily spread to others. The JN.1 variant is the fastest growing COVID-19 mutation in this country. Over the last month its share of all the COVID-19 cases quadrupled (CDC).

If you become exposed to someone with respiratory symptoms, please get tested. Your symptoms could be indicative of COVID-19, Influenza, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), or merely the common cold. It is suggested that you stay home and that you keep your children home when symptomatic. We just don't know who around us, adult or child, is at high risk for becoming very ill or dying if they become infected. The attached charts show just how many people have already been impacted by becoming ill, needing to be hospitalized, and dying. One preventable death is one too many.

RECOGNIZING THE SYMPTOMS:
INFLUENZA (The Flu): Flu Symptoms & Diagnosis | CDC Having a temperature /feeling feverish/having chills, coughing, a sore throat, a runny or stuffy nose, body/ muscle aches, a headache, tiredness, vomiting &/or diarrhea (more common in children than adults)
RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS (RSV): Symptoms and Care of RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) | CDC A runny nose, poor appetite, coughing, sneezing, &/or wheezing. The symptoms come on in stages. An infant may only show irritability, listlessness, and breathing difficulties.

COVID-19: Symptoms of COVID-19 | CDC Having an elevated temperature or chills, coughing, congestion or a runny nose, sore throat, being short of breath/having difficulty breathing, tiredness, muscle/body aches, a headache, nausea, vomiting &/or diarrhea, a new loss of taste or smell.

Stephanie Paulmeno, DNP, MS, RN, NHA, CPH, CCM, CDP
Public Health Promotion Specialist
Greenwich Health Department