Respiratory viruses across the state continue to drop for fifth consecutive week, PICU capacity still high
The latest data reported Wednesday from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services showed respiratory viruses overall dropped for the fifth consecutive week.
COVID-19, influenza and RSV collectively accounted for 10% of all emergency room visits.
North Carolina's flu death toll stands at 266, including at least 12 children.
COVID-19 accounted for most emergency room visits with 3.8%. That’s down 0.5% compared to last week and down nearly 2% from its peak in December 2023.
17.4 million fewer COVID-19 virus particles were found in wastewater. The data is a significant drop from the 80.7 million gene copies from last week’s data.
Flu also saw a slight 0.1% decrease overall, now making up roughly 2% of all emergency room visits within the past week.
RSV makes up the lowest of all respiratory cases with just 0.4% of all emergency room visits.
Across the state, available bed space in pediatric ICUs continues to be an issue.
According to the latest data from the North Carolina Pediatric Society Dashboard, combined PICU capacity statewide was 86% full.
In the Triangle, WakeMed Children’s PICU capacity was reported to be 100% full. Duke Children’s and UNC Children’s were both reported to be 95% full.
WRAL News has reported concerns among physicians regarding the trickle-down effect of capacity strains and delayed procedures.
Doctors urge parents to help reduce the spread of respiratory viruses by keeping children home from school when they are sick.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports the peak of the season may be over, but people should still be conscientious of these viruses.
Dr. Daniel Park, who leads the pediatric emergency department at UNC Medical Center, told WRAL News hospital capacity is still a concern, and we’re not yet out of the woods.
"The numbers have started to come down, which is encouraging, but we are still experiencing capacity concerns from time to time," Park said.
According to Park, one of the easiest ways to slow the spread of these illnesses is keeping children at home if they have a fever. Children should be fever-free for at least 24 hours before you send them back to school.
North Carolina's flu season runs from October until May. In late January, Dr. Cameron Wolfe, infectious disease specialist at Duke Health, said the hospitals shared a word of caution with North Carolinians.
"I want to be cautious and say we’re not out of the woods yet but certainly less busy than it was a fortnight ago," Wolfe said. "Suddenly you get this wash of respiratory viral infections ... surgeries get delayed, ED admissions get delayed, people can’t get out to their nursing homes and rehabs as quickly. All of those things, unfortunately, take place in the middle of winter, and I think we’re starting to see that just start to relax a little bit, which is great news.”
How do NC flu numbers compare to previous years?
WRAL data trackers looked back at five years of pre-COVID flu data and determined the average number of deaths per flu season in North Carolina is 211. Historically, the majority of deaths occur late in the season, in February or March.
"It’s very typical for us to get a light rise in influenza-B cases that can sometimes be as late as March or even April," Wolfe said. "So I don’t think we’re through all of that yet by any means."
The rise in flu deaths comes as the CDC reports flu vaccinations are the lowest in the last five years.
"Demand has slightly decreased for the flu and COVID vaccines, but demand has remained steady for the RSV and pneumonia vaccines," said CVS Regional Director Gaurang Trivedi
The demand for COVID-19 vaccines is greatest in the 65 and older age group.
Park said there have been high rates of children with respiratory illnesses like RSV and the flu in hospitals.
Hospital's visitation precautions ask for children experiencing active symptoms to not come to the hospital unless they are experiencing worsen symptoms such as difficulty breathing and high fever.
Is it flu or COVID-19?
According to the CDC, you can’t tell the difference between flu and COVID-19 by the symptoms alone. Specific testing is needed to tell what the illness is and confirm a diagnosis.
CDC guidance states that influenza, COVID-19 and RSV vaccines can all be given at the same time to eligible people.
When to see a doctor
According to the Mayo Clinic, most common cold symptoms can be treated at home with rest and over-the-counter medicine.
Adults should see their doctor if they experience any of the following:
- Symptoms that get worse or do not get better
- Fever greater than 101.3 degrees that lasts more than three days
- Fever returning after a fever-free period
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing
- Intense sore throat, headache or sinus pain
Children should see a doctor if they experience:
- Fever of 100.4 degrees in newborns up to 12 weeks.
- Rising fever or fever lasting more than two days in a child of any age
- More-intense symptoms, such as headache, throat pain or cough
- Trouble with breathing or wheezing
- Ear pain
- Fussiness or drowsiness that isn't typical
- No interest in eating
