‘Quad-Demic’ Of Illnesses Straining Rhode Island Emergency Rooms

RHODE ISLAND — 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 Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island:

• Influenza activity: High activity. Flu activity has increased over the last three weeks in the Ocean State, according to the Rhode Island Department of Health.
• RSV activity: Moderate activity. RSV activity has remained stable in Rhode Island.
• COVID-19 activity: High activity, but the number of emergency room visits has been on a sharp decline since late December, according to the Rhode Island Department of Health.
• Norovirus: Thus far throughout the month of January, 225 outbreaks of Norovirus have been reported by the 13 different states that make up the CDC’s NoroSTAT network, with Massachusetts being the closest state in the network.

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.

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