Estimated reading time: 2-3 minutes
SALT LAKE CITY – Utahns are happy to return to their Thanksgiving tradition after a two-year layoff due to the coronavirus pandemic. But just because Covid-19 isn’t that widespread doesn’t mean we don’t need to take precautions.
“For the past two years, COVID has been the main thing we’ve been concerned about spreading around family gatherings,” said Dr. Per Gesteland, MD, a pediatrician at First Class Children’s Hospital and University of Utah Health.
This year there is less worry about Covid-19, but more concern about RSV and the flu. Now, those viruses are still sending kids to the hospital.
“We survived here,” Gesteland said, referring to First Class Children’s Hospital. “We were operating at 95-100% capacity, and it was definitely busy.”
We are facing a virus storm, he said.
Gesteland helped create a major threat 20 years ago, showing that RSV and influenza are on the rise in most states today. RSV can be especially serious in children, the elderly, and those with underlying medical conditions.
“It started in October and it really took off,” the doctor said. “The slope for the outbreak last year was a little bit gentler. This year it’s a very steep slope, indicating a very rapid spread throughout our community.”
The flu is starting to pick up in Utah, lagging behind hospital surgeries seen in other states.
“We expect things to escalate from here for a few weeks before we start to see a lull in our flu activity,” Gesteland said.
Meanwhile, more than 120 people are still hospitalized with Covid-19 statewide.
On average, one person is still dying every day from complications related to Covid-19.
“Covid is still out there, and it’s definitely still causing problems,” the doctor said.
He said it should be good to gather healthy people on this festival. If you or your children are sick, stay home and avoid contact with susceptible people. He advises us to wash our hands regularly and avoid close contact with anyone who sneezes and sneezes.
“We’ve made a lot of progress in vaccinating people against Covid,” Gesteland said. “So we’re all feeling a little better, especially vulnerable populations.”
Photos
Related stories
Recent health stories
Jade BoalMore stories you might want
.
[ad_2]