CT Faces Triple Threat Of RSV, COVID-19 & Flu This Season: DPH

CONNECTICUT — A triple-threat of respiratory viruses could strain Connecticut’s healthcare system as winter months approach.

RSV cases are picking up in Connecticut among children, flu cases are starting to crop up and the state will eventually deal with an increase in COVID-19 cases, Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Manisha Juthani said Friday.

She urged people to get vaccinated for the flu and get updated COVID-19 boosters now before the holiday season starts. Greater vaccine coverage now will help mitigate stress on the state hospital system during the winter, she said.

Connecticut reported 2,771 COVID-19 cases over seven days on Thursday, which has been in line with case counts from the past several weeks (See town-by-town case counts below, or click here.) There were 389 people hospitalized with COVID-19 as of Thursday, which was a 16 patient drop from the week prior. Another 39 COVID-19 related deaths were reported this past week as well.

Respiratory syncopal virus (RSV) cases are on the rise in Connecticut, Juthani said. Cases appear to be peaking in the Hartford area, but are sharply rising in all other parts of the state.

The virus typically hits young children the hardest. The majority of Connecticut RSV cases have been among children from infant to 9-years-old over the past 30 days, Juthani said. It’s especially concentrated among children under 2.

Children under 2 were born in the pandemic and for the most part haven’t been socialized as much with other children, and therefore haven’t been exposed to RSV as much, she said.

So far, pediatric hospitals have been able to manage the influx of young RSV patients. However, state health officials are trying to mitigate additional strain by reducing transmission now, Juthani said. Young children who are sick and can’t wear a mask should stay home until they recover.

RSV is less a concern for adults, but flu cases are starting to crop up in Connecticut. One concern is whether peak flu and COVID-19 cases will overlap this season, Juthani said.

Flu activity is high in New York State right now, Juthani said, and it appears the Connecticut flu season has started. There have been 100 flu cases diagnosed in the past week or so and seven flu hospitalizations.

The hope is that flu season will peak before COVID-19 cases do, but whether that happens is unknown for now.

“We haven’t seen a repository viral season with regular transmission of both,” Juthani said.

Flu season in Connecticut can peak anytime between October and May. Last year, it peaked near the end of the season as mask usage decreased.