Prevention Encouraged Amid Increase of Respiratory Illness-Related Hospitalizations

As we head into the peak of the respiratory season, it's crucial to stay proactive and keep up with everyday precautions to minimize illness in our community. The risk of getting a respiratory infection is greatest during the peak of influenza season, which normally lasts from late December to early February. 

In Mesa County, there has been an increase in hospitalizations due to respiratory-related illnesses the last couple weeks. Additionally, flu test positivity has rapidly increased, particularly in the last few weeks of December.

The graph above depicts Mesa County's influenza percent positivity, which is the percentage of flu tests that are positive compared to all flu tests. 

“Peak respiratory season generally occurs early in the new year in January or February. This is looking to be true this year. We know that there is a lot of respiratory illness circulating in the county right now. ” said Disease Surveillance and Emergency Response Manager Rachel Burmeister. “Prevention measures are really important during this last stretch of winter, especially to keep our most vulnerable populations safe.”

PREVENTION

These are the best practices for limiting the impacts of these respiratory viruses:

• Stay home when you are sick.
• Wash your hands frequently.
• Disinfect surfaces you frequently touch at home and work - like door knobs and light switches.
• Stay up to date on vaccines.

MESA COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH RESOURCES

• Pick up free COVID-19 testing kits at the Mesa County Community Services kiosk at 510 29 ½ Road.
• We have updated hospitalization numbers for COVID-19, flu, and RSV on our Community Health Data page on mesacounty.us/public-health. 
• Sign up to receive Public Health updates delivered to your email inbox. Sign up is on the same website.
• Schedule your COVID-19 and flu vaccines at the Public Health Clinic. Call 970-248-6900 to make an appointment.