Respiratory Illnesses Still High, But Declining

A perfect storm of influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and COVID-19 combined late last year to wallop Missourians.

Influenza-like illnesses are still elevated across the state, but RSV and COVID-19 are declining. 

In November, Dr. George Turabelidze, state epidemiologist with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), said that although cases had not increased in severity, “the increased volume has caused a strain on our health care partners.”

Hospitals were flooded with patients, especially children affected by RSV.

RSV is most common in children under age 2 and can be severe for infants.

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed a decline in the percentage of PCR tests that were coming back positive for RSV.

During the week ending Oct. 29, nearly 24 percent of tests were coming back positive.

As of Dec. 31, it is down to nearly 3 percent.

The percentage of tests coming back positive for the flu is still high — around 23 percent for the week ending Dec. 24.

DHSS said there were 7,166 lab-positive cases reported, with 95.8 percent coming back as influenza A.

Another 3.8 percent were influenza B and 0.4 percent were untyped.

There were 16,851 cases reported for the week ending Dec. 10 and 14,192 cases for the week ending Dec. 17.

To date, 82,338 cases have been reported in Missouri.

Influenza-like illness activity for hospital emergency room visit chief complaint data fell to 4.7 percent.

DHSS also said 33 influenza-associated deaths have been reported as of Dec. 10.

Eight influenza outbreaks and two influenza-associated school closures have been reported in the state.

COVID-19

COVID-19 cases remain relatively low throughout the state, with 6,630 cases reported for the week ending Dec. 25.

A year ago, nearly 55,000 cases were reported.

DHSS’ COVID-19 dashboard is reporting a “technical difficulty” with updating hospitalization metrics.

As of Dec. 14, there were 1,047 people hospitalized with COVID-19 in Missouri.

It’s the highest amount of people hospitalized since the second week of August.

DHSS said the flu and COVID-19 have many similar symptoms including cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue (tiredness), sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle pain or body aches and headaches.