‘Quad-Demic’ Of Illnesses Making Thousands Sick: What To Know In IL

ILLINOIS — Public health officials are warning that a “quad-demic” — a contagious combination of COVID-19, influenza, RSV and the nasty stomach bug norovirus — is putting pressure on Illinois emergency rooms and hospitals.

Respiratory viruses are at high or very high levels across most of the country, according to the latest surveillance report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The agency said in an update Friday that nationally, wastewater surveillance shows viral activity is high for influenza A and moderate for RSV.

COVID-19 levels are low, but coupled with norovirus, offer a quadruple threat.

Norovirus data from public health laboratories from around the country tallied by the CDC shows that Midwest states from Kansas to Michigan are the hardest hit by the highly contagious stomach bug, whose symptoms include vomiting and diarrhea. Norovirus positivity test levels in all regions of the country are as high or higher than last season’s peak nationwide.

Here’s the situation in Illinois:

Influenza activity: The CDC describes flu activity in Illinois as "moderate." Flu-related hospital visits spiked the week of Dec. 28, with 6.4 percent of ER visits related to the flu, and over 4 percent of hospital admissions being flu-related.

RSV activity: Overall statewide activity is "low," but "very high" activity has been reported in parts of counties including Cook, DuPage and Kane, and "high" activity in parts of McHenry County. The death of a child from RSV was reported in December in McHenry County. Statewide this season, IDPH reports three pediatric deaths related to RSV.

COVID-19 activity: Viral wastewater activity is high across the state, with "very high" levels of COVID-19 activity in parts of counties including DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake and McHenry, and "moderate" activity in Will County.

Norovirus: Outbreaks of the virus increased this winter around the country, and Illinois reportedly had at least 110 outbreaks in November and December. During the same period last winter, Illinois had 22 outbreaks.

Illinois health officials are reporting that 18.1 percent of ER visits between Jan. 12 and 18 were due to acute respiratory illness, with roughly 1.5 percent of those due to COVID-19 and 6 percent due to flu. Likewise, more than 18 percent of hospital visits in Illinois were due to acute respiratory illness, with around 2 percent due to COVID-19 and almost 4 percent due to flu.

Illinois also reported 31 intensive care unit admissions for COVID-19 during the same period, 77 for flu and 34 for RSV.

In terms of mortality, over the same period, Illinois reported 23 deaths connected to COVID-19, 19 influenza-related deaths and 54 deaths connected to pneumonia. For the entire season, IDPH reports 1 pediatric COVID-19 death, four flu-related pediatric deaths, and three RSV-related pediatric deaths.

In its most recent update on respiratory viruses, the CDC said COVID predictions for the next two weeks suggest that emergency department visits will remain at a lower level compared to prior winter seasons. Influenza predictions suggest that emergency department visits will be high and will increase in most states.