‘Quad-Demic’ Of Illnesses Straining New Hampshire Emergency Rooms

NEW HAMPSHIRE — 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 Granite State 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.

In the Granite State, influenza activity is very high. RSV activity, according to wastewater samples, is high. COVID-19 activity is also high, according to wastewater sampling. More than 200 outbreaks of Norovirus have been reported around the United States.

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.