What's Going Around In MD? Flu, COVID Top The List Of Germs

MARYLAND — As COVID cases continue to rise in Maryland, people are being strongly encouraged to get their flu shot as more and more influenza A cases are being diagnosed. Health officials anticipate seeing a rise in COVID-19 and influenza cases this winter, along with the common cold and stomach viruses.

Influenza and COVID-19 are both contagious respiratory illnesses, but they are caused by different viruses. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention note that COVID-19 appears to spread more easily than flu and can cause more serious illnesses in some people than the flu.

Because the flu, COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses share symptoms, discerning what you may have cannot be determined based upon symptoms alone. Testing is needed. According to the CDC, People can be infected with both the flu and the virus that causes COVID-19 at the same time and have symptoms of both influenza and COVID-19, such as:

• Fever or feeling feverish/having chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Muscle pain or body aches
• Headache
• Vomiting and diarrhea
• Change in or loss of taste or smell, although this is more frequent with COVID-19.

The numbers show an increase in flu and COVID-19 cases in Maryland already in December. In a 24-hour period ending Dec. 14, an additional 1,866 positive COVID cases were reported, boosting the total COVID case count so far to 592,679. Almost 50 people were hospitalized in that same 24-hour period, reaching 1,173 individuals in the hospital for COVID-related treatment. So far, 11,022 Marylanders have died from COVID, with 15 deaths reported in the last 24 hours.

"Last week Maryland hospitals hit a historic, unprecedented and unwanted milestone — the lowest number of hospital beds available since the beginning of the pandemic," Bob Atlas, president and CEO of the Maryland Hospital Association, told Patch.

Hospitals statewide are 93 percent occupied for medical/surgical and ICU beds, the Maryland Hospital Association reported Wednesday. Coronavirus patients account for 15 percent of those overall.

Related: Beds Scarce At MD Hospitals Amid COVID-19 Surge: Industry Leaders

On Dec. 3, state health officials confirmed the first three cases of the Omicron variant in Maryland. All three of the cases involved individuals from the Baltimore Metropolitan Region with two cases coming from the same household, including a vaccinated individual who recently traveled to South Africa and an unvaccinated person who was a close contact of that individual. One unrelated case involves a vaccinated individual with no known recent travel history.

Andy Owen, spokesperson for the Maryland Department of Health, shared with Patch that for the week ending Dec. 4, clinical laboratory providers reported testing 9,541 specimens, with a positivity of 6.9 percent. Of those individuals testing positive, 85 percent were positive for influenza type A and 15 percent for influenza type B.

"This year, it is particularly important to get your flu shot. We all must be prepared for increased flu activity as some COVID-19 prevention measures including masking and distancing that limited the spread of flu last year have decreased," Owen said. "Please keep in mind that now is the time for Marylanders to ensure that they are vaccinated against the flu and COVID. It is safe and convenient to get both vaccines at the same time, and we strongly encourage you to do so."

If anyone thinks they have the flu:

• Contact your health care provider to discuss testing and to manage symptoms or complications.
• Stay home from work or school to avoid spreading illness.
• Cover your mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing.
• Use alcohol-based hand sanitizers and wash your hands often.
• Remember that the symptoms of flu and COVID-19 can be similar, and only testing can distinguish between these and other respiratory viruses.

Anyone who thinks they may have COVID should:

• Stay home. Most people with COVID-19 have mild illness and can recover at home without medical care. Do not leave your home, except to get medical care. Do not visit public areas.
• Avoid public transportation, ride-sharing, or taxis.
• Separate yourself from other people. As much as possible, stay in a specific room and away from other people and pets in your home. If possible, you should use a separate bathroom. If you need to be around other people or animals in or outside of the home, wear a mask.
• Tell close contacts that they may have been exposed to COVID-19. An infected person can spread COVID-19 starting 48 hours (or 2 days) before the person has any symptoms or tests positive. By letting your close contacts know they may have been exposed to COVID-19, you are helping to protect everyone.
• Monitor your symptoms. Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough or other symptoms.
• If you have symptoms of COVID-19, get tested.
• If you are sick, wear a mask over your nose and mouth and cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. This is especially important after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing; going to the bathroom; and before eating or preparing food.
• Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces in your “sick room” and bathroom; wear disposable gloves. Let someone else clean and disinfect surfaces in common areas, but you should clean your bedroom and bathroom, if possible.

Patch Editor Elizabeth Janney contributed to this story.