According to Maricopa County Department of Public Health (MCDPH), cases of COVID-19, influenza (flu) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are all higher than usual for this time of year, and COVID-19 and flu cases are still increasing.
“Respiratory viruses can cause severe disease, especially in infants, young children and older adults,” said Dr. Nick Staab, medical epidemiologist at MCDPH. “It is concerning to see so many cases before many holiday gatherings and travel have even happened. We are already seeing a strain on our healthcare systems.”
MCDPH is encouraging everyone ages six months and older to get vaccinated against COVID and flu to prevent additional cases as people gather this holiday season.
Influenza cases are now “widespread” in Maricopa County, which is the highest category of flu spread, Staab said. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that Maricopa County is in the high category for COVID transmission. At this level of transmission, the CDC recommends wearing a mask indoors in public, which includes during travel and in other public settings. RSV cases are more than two times higher than during the average peak.
Residents are encouraged to get vaccinated and to recognize the signs of respiratory illnesses, Staab said. There is no vaccine for RSV, but flu and COVID-19 vaccines are effective at preventing many infections and reducing the severity of breakthrough infections. Staab said people with symptoms should stay home and away from others unless they’re seeking healthcare. If going out is necessary, they should wear a mask around others. Getting tested by a medical provider can confirm which virus a person has and determine treatment options.
Symptoms of COVID-19, flu and RSV can include:
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Coughing/sore throat
- Fever
- Muscle or body aches
- Fatigue
- Headaches
In children under a year old, symptoms of RSV can also include irritability, decreased appetite, decreased activity and pauses while breathing (apnea).
“Staying up-to-date on flu and COVID-19 vaccines is a simple way to prevent infections, reduce the spread of respiratory illness and prevent severe disease,” said Staab. “You can get them on the same day at many places, and there’s still time to get vaccinated before the holidays.”
It’s best to get vaccinated at least two weeks ahead of gatherings or travel so the body has time to build up protection, Staab said, adding that protection from vaccines is enhanced by also using other prevention tactics. These include proper and frequent hand-washing; wearing a mask in crowded indoor areas; and avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands. If you are sick with a respiratory illness, stay home and away from others, especially if you cannot wear a mask around others to decrease the spread of illness.
For more information and a listing of MCDPH’s community vaccine events and where to find other vaccine providers, visit Maricopa.gov/VaccineLocations. See data on local spread of COVID-19 at Maricopa.gov/COVID19data and see data on local spread of flu and RSV at Maricopa.gov/flu.
Flu concerns spike emergency disinfections at local businesses
The disinfection pros at Enviro-Master say they are suddenly slammed with emergency requests from local businesses related to the swift spread of the flu. This side-by-side map they provided shows the dramatic difference in flu activity this year compared to the same week last year.
Enviro-Master is known best for ridding commercial restrooms of infectious diseases and they are being called upon to disinfect every inch of area establishments, from restaurants to gyms, over concerns about contagions. They say flu viruses can survive on hard surfaces for 24 hours – surfaces like desks, chairs, door handles toilet seats, faucets, sinks and anything else we touch in the office or public areas.
The experts at the local Enviro-Master say this major uptick in the number of calls from local businesses for emergency disinfection assistance and the swift shift in the return to above-board cleaning measures at area businesses was first seen at the height of COVID-19 and they offer the following hygiene safety tips for using public restrooms:
- Look for a sign or certificate that shows the restroom has been disinfected and treated electrostatically with hospital-grade germicide.
- Be prepared. Bring disinfectant wipes and hand sanitizer in the restroom with you in case the facility is not well taken care of.
- Wear a face mask to reduce the chance of particles in the air coming in contact with the mucus membranes in your mouth and nose — which can be an entryway for disease into the body.
- Touch as little as possible in public restrooms, including your face.
- Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water.
- Skip the hand dryer. Use paper towels, if possible. It may be a good idea to travel with a small pack of hand towels in case none are available. Research shows that air hand dryers can harbor germs and blow them back on your hands.
- Know this: Hand towels laid out on a counter (rather than pulled out of a covered dispenser) are exposed to all the germy particles floating around in the restroom, too.
- Smear on hand sanitizer once you leave the restroom.
- Get in and get out quickly. We still do not know how long we need to be exposed to the virus to become infected. Reducing your time in an enclosed space like a restroom can reduce your risk of getting sick.
