Respiratory viruses on the rise

December 15, 2023

As we head toward the holiday season, respiratory illnesses are on the rise and many of our colleagues are sick. This includes me; I tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday evening, and I write this from quarantine. Here’s what employers (and their employees) need to know:

a)    COVID-19 rates are on the way up nationally, and based on previous years will likely peak at the end of December or in early January. The fall, 2023 vaccine appears to be quite protective against the current variants in the lab, and likely prevents hospitalization and death. However, prevention of cases of COVID-19 likely wanes over just a month or two. Those who test positive for COVID-19 and are at higher risk of complications of COVID-19, including those who are immunocompromised or have respiratory illness, will often benefit from Paxlovid treatment, which can shorten symptom duration and prevent bad outcomes.

This graphic shows the increase in COVID-19 in wastewater in the US. There are fewer sites reporting than earlier this year.

Source: Biobot, December 12, 2023

b) Influenza ratesare also rising throughout the country, although may have peaked in parts of the south that were hit early. Influenza vaccines provide protection starting about two weeks from inoculation, so it’s not too late for many to be vaccinated. Many who are infected with influenza can benefit from antiviral drug treatment and should contact their provider. There were over 5700 patients admitted to the hospital with influenza last week.

a)    Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) rates are also climbing now - though they are lower than last year. This is the first year we have good vaccines for adults and infants, although takeup for RSV vaccines has been low (15%) among adults over age 60 and there is no comprehensive reporting of use in pregnant women. The monoclonal antibody to protect infants has been in short supply.

Implications for employers:

-        Expect substantial absence from work due to respiratory illness, including illness affecting children who cannot attend school or daycare if they are sick.

-        It’s not too late for employees and plan members to be vaccinated against influenza and COVID-19, and some women in pregnancy are recommended to get the RSV vaccine through January.

-        Those over 65 or with chronic lung disease or heart disease are also eligible for an RSV vaccination, which is as of now required only once (not annually).  RSV causes 60,000 to 160,000 hospitalizations in older adults annually, and 6,000-10,000 deaths. 

Here is CDC data on positive influenza tests:

Source: CDC December 12, 2023 LINK

c)    Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) rates are also climbing now - though they are lower than last year. This is the first year we have good vaccines for adults and infants, although takeup for RSV vaccines has been low (15%) among adults over age 60 and there is no comprehensive reporting of use in pregnant women. The monoclonal antibody to protect infants has been in short supply.

Implications for employers:

-        Expect substantial absence from work due to respiratory illness, including illness affecting children who cannot attend school or daycare if they are sick.

-        It’s not too late for employees and plan members to be vaccinated against influenza and COVID-19, and some women in pregnancy are recommended to get the RSV vaccine through January.

-        Those over 65 or with chronic lung disease or heart disease are also eligible for an RSV vaccination, which is as of now required only once (not annually).  RSV causes 60,000 to 160,000 hospitalizations in older adults annually, and 6,000-10,000 deaths. 

Monday: Roundup on recent research publications on anti-obesity drugs.

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