Some hospitals are reporting an uptick in respiratory syncytial virus hospitalizations in recent days, though national data — delayed by the federal shutdown — has yet to offer a clear picture.
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital reported an early uptick in admissions this fall, according to Hamilton County Public Health Medical Director Steve Feagins, MD.
“Last year, we saw it early. This year, we saw it even earlier, resulting in, like, September beginning to get some admissions and hospitalizations at Cincinnati Children’s,” he told CBS affiliate WKRC.
The county reported 32 admissions in the week ending Nov. 15, up from 28 a week prior, state data shows.
The CDC’s Respiratory Virus Hospitalization Surveillance Network dashboard offers a national snapshot of RSV admissions as of Oct. 25. Nationwide, admissions remain low but are increasing — rising to 0.2 per 100,000 people, up from 0.1 the previous week.
Three more virus updates:
1. Flu activity remains low but is increasing across the U.S. As of Nov. 11, flu cases were increasing or likely increasing in 39 states, according to CDC estimates cited by AHA News. Meanwhile, COVID-19 infections were likely rising in 20 states.
2. The CDC’s most recent FluView report, updated Nov. 14, shows flu-related emergency department visits are climbing among children.
3. The nation’s measles outbreak also continues to grow. As of Nov. 12, the CDC has reported 1,723 confirmed measles cases across 43 states. Experts have warned that the disease’s elimination status in the U.S. may be at risk if the outbreak’s current trajectory continues. The outbreak could also place additional strain on hospitals amid forecasts of a severe flu season.
