LEWISTON, ID – The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare says the state has seen a significant surge in respiratory diseases. During a press availability, agency officials called the situation a ‘triple-demic’ of flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and COVID-19.
Dr. Kathy Turner, Deputy State Epidemiologist, says confirmed hospital admissions for influenza have increased roughly 100-fold; and for COVID-19, confirmed hospitalizations have seen an increase of just over 70%. In fact, as of the last week of November, she says the number of people being admitted with the flu has surpassed those being admitted for COVID-19.
Turner says respiratory illnesses look a lot different than they have over the previous two years.
Meanwhile, Dr. Jim Souza, Chief Physician Executive at St. Luke’s Health System in Boise, says this is not just an Idaho problem.
Souza says RSV is affecting mostly very young children, but it does affect some adults – and it can be lethal.
State Epidemiologist Dr. Christine Hahn explains it is difficult to determine which of the respiratory diseases without medical intervention.
Hahn says it is important for people to know their own health risks.
Hahn says women who are pregnant are also in a higher risk category for the respiratory infections. Meanwhile, she adds that early testing is very important.
The federal government today relaunched its program for Americans to obtain four free home tests for COVID-19. They are available at: https://www.covid.gov/tests
High risk of severe disease list: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/risks-getting-very-sick.html
Medicare free tests: https://www.medicare.gov/covid-19-tests-participating-pharmacies
from Forbing-Orr, Niki to Everyone13:19
Free test sites from the IDHW webpage: https://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/find-covid-19-testing-locations
Federal government program for 4 free tests (link and phone number): https://www.covid.gov/tests Phone number: 1-800-232-0233
Treatment locator: https://covid-19-therapeutics-locator-dhhs.hub.arcgis.com/
