Respiratory illnesses continue to spread in Monterey county
>> While the rate of COVID-19 cases in Monterey County continues to trend upward and influenza's early jump on the season sickens more, respiratory syncytial virus appears to have peaked.
Monterey County Health Officer Dr. Edward Moreno presented a report on viral respiratory illnesses to the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday and said that besides the triple threat of COVID, flu and RSV, many respiratory viruses circulate in the U.S., with some being more active in the fall and winter.
“The thing is though it can be difficult to determine just on symptoms alone which virus might be causing someone to have respiratory symptoms,” said Moreno. “That's because these viruses often have similar symptoms which typically include cough, sore throat, body aches, nasal congestion, fever and headache, to name a few.”
The viruses are similarly transmitted from person to person which is typically aerosol, meaning it lingers in the air via
droplets expelled from uncovered sneezing or coughing. Those droplets fall on surfaces becoming fomites and can be spread when someone touches objects such as handrails or doorknobs, said Moreno.
There is no vaccine for RSV, so wearing a mask can slow the spread and protect the most vulnerable, including babies, young children, and older adults, according to the California Department of Public Health.
In the years preceding measures to curtail the spread of COVID-19, influenza typically started to increase in November and subsided by April. In the past two years during the height of the pandemic when measures were in place, the flu hardly made a showing during that time. This year, influenza started to increase in October and does not seem to have reached its peak, said Moreno.
RSV usually starts increasing in December, peaks in February or March, and decreases after that. In the preceding two years it had an unusual increase in late summer, but this year it increased in October and seems to have peaked in late November.
Moreno said that vaccines are available for COVID-19 and influenza to everyone six months of age and older, though there is no vaccine currently available for RSV.
According to the Monterey County Department of Public Health, the county's COVID-19 seven-day average case rate on Monday was 8.0 per 100,000, compared to 9.2 last week. Its test-positivity rate was reported to be 7.4%, up from 7.1% last week. Hospitalizations numbered 31, increasing from 26 the week before. Deaths from COVID-19 in Monterey County currently number 798, up one from a week ago.
A month ago the Monterey County Department of Public Health reported the county's COVID-19 sevenday average case rate was 5.9 per 100,000, its test-positivity rate was 5.5%, and there were 16 people hospitalized with COVID-19.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Monterey County's COVID-19 community level remains at medium for a second week after maintaining a low ranking for about the previous three months. A community-level ranked at low, medium or high, is based on hospital beds being used by patients with COVID-19, new hospital admissions among people with COVID-19, and the total number of new COVID-19 cases in the area. The calculations used by the CDC are from a week to nearly two weeks prior.
Based on Monterey County's current level, the CDC recommends staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, getting tested if symptomatic, and wearing a mask if symptomatic, testing positive, or being exposed to someone with COVID-19. It also recommends wearing a mask on public transportation. Individuals may choose to wear a mask at any time as an additional precaution to protect themselves and others. If at high risk for severe illness, consider wearing a mask indoors in public and taking additional precautions.
This week, State Public Health Officer Dr. Tomas Aragon said that as California faces rising COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations due to multiple winter respiratory viruses, he reminds providers and patients that seeking and receiving COVID-19 treatment should be the new normal for anyone who tests positive for the virus.
“Many of our hospitals across the state are reaching capacity if they aren't there already, and one of the ways we can reduce admissions is by treating individuals who have COVID-19,” said Aragon. “Unlike previous years, people now have safe and effective treatment options that can prevent serious disease, reduce hospitalization, and may also lower the risk of long COVID-19 symptoms. Treatments provide the biggest benefits to unvaccinated people, but also provide benefits to people who are vaccinated or who recovered from a prior COVID-19 infection. However, COVID-19 treatments are underutilized, particularly among communities that have been hardest hit by COVID-19. As soon as someone has new symptoms such as a runny nose, cough, sore throat or fever, they should immediately test for COVID-19 and seek treatment if they are positive.”
The CDC reports that of those individuals 5 years of age and older who are eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations in Monterey County, 89.5% have received at least one dose and 80.9% have completed their primary series, but only 14.6% have received an updated bivalent booster dose.
Testing is available for COVID-19, influenza, and RSV. It is recommended that people who are experiencing severe illness get tested to determine which virus or viruses may be the cause, as there are treatments for each.
To reduce the likelihood of getting sick or spreading the virus once a person is sick, Moreno stressed the importance of getting vaccinated and boosted if eligible, wearing a face covering in indoor public settings, avoiding large gatherings, washing hands frequently, staying home if sick, getting tested, and getting treated if at high risk for severe disease.