For 30 months, most of our focus has been on COVID-19. And, as hard as we have tried, we just can’t seem to get rid of it. Over the summer, the lowest rates we saw were about 80 new cases per 100,000 people in Monroe County. Since the start of school, those numbers have crept up to 118 new cases per 100, 000. But the story doesn’t end there. Since the start of school we are now seeing many more cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), croup (parainfluenza), hand foot and mouth disease (coxsackie virus), common colds (rhinovirus and enterovirus), and… influenza. There have been over 600 cases of influenza reported in NY so far compared to 4900 cases for all of last season. Reports also indicate that many of the viral infections are significantly worse than usual.
What can we do? Be careful. As much as it pains me to say it, wear masks when possible, especially out in crowded areas – they prevented much respiratory illness besides COVID-19 over the past 2 seasons, avoid those with symptoms and stay home if you have symptoms. Do not put others at risk. And… influenza and COVID-19 immunizations. They may not be 100% effective, but the do cut down on illness and definitely the risk of severe illness.