PHOTO: Courtesy of WLUK
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Coughs, colds, the flu — this is the season of sickness. After seeing an increase in COVID cases last month, we learned numbers are on the decrease.
While it’s been more than six months since the CDC declared an end to the health emergency related to COVID-19, we reported last month, local health officials were seeing an increase in the number of people testing positive for the illness.
At that time, more than 500 people across the state were hospitalized with COVID-19. But, according to state statistics, that number has dropped more than 50% in the last month.
“I think we are clearly noticing a decrease in the number of people who get COVID-19. At the same time though, in today’s environment, COVID is maybe about a quarter to a third of the story when it comes to seasonal respiratory infections,” said Dr. Brad Burmeister with Bellin Health.
Health care officials are however seeing an increase in other viruses.
According to Burmeister, “It seems to be perhaps a quarter COVID-19, a quarter RSV, a quarter other respiratory viruses and then a quarter of people seem to be getting knocked down with norovirus or other gastrointestinal illnesses right now.”
Dr. Brad Burmeister says like the number of COVID cases, it appears there’s been a plateau in RSV cases too. Norovirus and other gastrointestinal illnesses however appear to be on the rise.
“Norovirus is the classic cruise ship virus that you hear about. That one is highly contagious, particularly in school settings, assisted living, nursing homes, anywhere we people gather even people who live in the same household. It’s a high probability it might run through multiple people if they share the same living space or the same place at work or school,” added Burmeister.
To stay healthy or stop the spread of illnesses, Burmeister says practice a lot of handwashing and stay home and away from others if you’re sick.
Health care professionals say it’s not too late to get your vaccines whether for COVID, the flu, or something else.
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