PHOENIX — As summer quickly approaches, flu and cold season is winding down.
From RSV to COVID-19, state health officials are reporting cases falling across the state.
“We are seeing a significant decrease in the three major viral respiratory infections, which is influenza, COVID-19 and RSV,” Dr. Joel Terriquez, medical director of infectious disease and immunizations for the Arizona Department of Health Services, said.
VERSIÓN EN ESPAÑOL: El verano se acerca rápidamente y la temporada de resfriados estaría llegando a su fin
Terriquez said respiratory illness in Arizona are trending in a positive direction.
“We have seen at least a 24% drop in influenza, compared to last week alone, and then we’re seeing a 4% drop in COVID-19… 20% drop in RSV,” he said.
Overall, it’s a very encouraging forecast.
“The cold weather is going away, everyone is very conscious about trying to avoid very crowded places,” he said.
In addition to that, he said more people are getting vaccinated, contributing to the positive outcome.
“Even though the flu vaccine season is over, there was a significant number of people getting vaccinated,” said Terriquez.
While the overall number of cases are dropping for all three illnesses, Terriquez said that doesn’t change the fact certain populations — like those with chronic medical illnesses, such as uncontrolled diabetes, COPD, asthma or chronic respiratory infections — are still at high risk for infection.
But as state health officials analyze the ages of those getting hit with infections, they discovered some interesting findings.
“Younger adults, ages 19 to 49… they’re accounting for 30-plus percent of those cases of viral respiratory infections,” he said. “…specifically looking at influenza.”
Even though there’s fewer flu, RSV and COVID-19 cases, they’re monitoring new developments with new strains of influenza, like the H5N1 influenza.
“From the public health perspective, we’re at lower risk, but that’s something that we’re monitoring closely, especially after a couple of cases have been seen in the United States,” he said.
So far, no one in Arizona has been impacted by that strain, and to keep it that way, Terriquez said we should all keep preventative measures at the top of mind.
“…appropriate hand washing, obviously get our flu vaccination, which is extremely important,” he said.
And if you don’t feel quite right, stay home and call your doctor.
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