COVID-19, Flu, RSV Cases Surging In Pittsburgh Area

PITTSBURGH, PA — December saw a significant increase in the number of COVID-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases in Allegheny County.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, respiratory viruses may cause both upper respiratory tract symptoms (the vocal chords and above) and lower respiratory tract symptoms (below the vocal chords). Some viruses also affect the nose, throat and lungs and can lead to serious lung infections such as pneumonia.

Symptoms can include fever, chills, fatigue, cough, runny or stuffy nose, loss of appetite, sore throat, vomiting, new loss of taste or smell, headache, muscle or body aches, diarrhea and weakness.

According to the county health department respiratory virus dashboard, these are the weekly number of COVID-19, flu and RSV cases reported in the county for December. The number of weekly trips to hospital emergency rooms are listed parenthetically.

COVID-19:

• Dec. 1-7: 238 (86)

• Dec. 8-14: 270 (73)

• Dec. 15-21: 311 (110)

• Dec. 22-28: 327 (109)

Flu

• Dec. 1-7: 107 (68)

• Dec. 8-14: 200 (79)

• Dec. 15-21: (162)

• Dec. 22-28 (396)

RSV

• Dec. 1-7: 77 (23)

• Dec. 8-14: 99 (24)

• Dec. 15-21: 148 (33)

• Dec. 22-28: 186 (49)

If you do get sick, the CDC recommends staying home and away from others until at least 24 hours after both experiencing better overall symptoms and not having a fever (while not using fever-reducing medication).

Emergency medical care should be sought immediately if you have signs such as difficulty breathing or chest pain.