The Upcoming Flu, COVID-19 and RSV Season: What to Expect
Protecting our health is always on our minds as we enter the respiratory virus season, and staying diligent is vital to keeping one another safe. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention predicts a moderate COVID-19 wave and a typical flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) burden this season, similar to last year, including comparable total hospitalizations.
“Predictions are based on several factors, including expert opinions, historical data trends, and modeling results,” says Director of Employee Health and Infection Prevention Heather Smith. “At KSB, we follow CDC recommendations, including risk assessing employee exposures and strategically working with those who are ill to determine when they can safely return to the workplace for everyone’s safety. We also encourage masking this respiratory season, regardless of vaccination status.”
5 Ways to Combat Infection This Season:
- Vaccination is a simple way to reduce the risk of getting ill and preventing hospitalization. Stay current with COVID-19 and flu vaccinations, as they are specific to circulating strains expected this season.
- Stay home if you do not feel well. When you do this, you care for your patients, co-workers, and yourself.
- Risk assess your plans to include your likelihood of exposure and consider masking up in crowded settings.
- Stay informed on our area’s current COVID-19 and flu trends.
- Reduce the spread by keeping impactful infection control practices at the forefront of your everyday routines. This includes washing your hands appropriately, using hand sanitizer between activities, and wiping down high-touch areas often, including doorknobs, counters, pens, phones, etc.
“We are asking that the public refrain from visiting if they’re not feeling well,” adds Smith. “We have hand hygiene stations and masks at all entrances. We encourage the public to sanitize their hands upon entry and highly encourage masks this time of year.”
