While seasonal cases of respiratory syncytial virus are not as high nationwide as they were during this same time in 2022, cases are still rising, and hospitals in Atlanta and Miami are reporting an increase in hospital admissions for it. Flu is also on the rise according to CDC data.
RSV cases are increasing the most in Southern states, CDC data shows, and The Atlanta Journal Constitution and WSVN both report a rise in RSV patient admissions in Georgia and Florida.
Holtz Children’s Hospital in Miami has seen a "a five-fold increase for influenza and a twofold increase for RSV," Barry Gelman, MD, chief medical officer for the hospital told WSVN.
Although cases are increasing, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta's Chief Medical Officer James Fortenberry, MD, said the swell of RSV, flu and COVID-19 do not appear to be trending toward serious overlap this year, which allows more time for individuals to get vaccinated against the three, the Atlanta Journal Courier reported.
CDC data also shows that influenza A and influenza B are co-circulating — something that experts previously told Becker's can signal a more severe flu season. As of Oct. 2, the flu positivity rate nationwide was 1percent, the CDC reported.
Children's hospital leaders have also warned that any slight increase in hospitalizations for pediatric patients, a group particularly vulnerable to both viruses, could quickly lead to bottlenecks and capacity strains.