The worst of the respiratory virus season is behind us
March 22, 2024
Some of the mini-daffodils in our garden have started blooming, and the snowdrops have been out for a week - so I know that Spring is around the corner in New England.
The good news is that the major respiratory viruses continue to decline.
The portion of office visits for influenza-like illnesses is still over 3%, and higher than in the last few years, but it’s declining. Influenza B infections often peak in the late winter and early spring.
Portion of Office Visits for Influenza Like Illness:
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) March 19, 2024 LINK
COVID wastewater findings are about the same as they were last Spring, and COVID hospitalizations continue to decline.
However, the pre-COVID coronaviruses, which cause cold symptoms and runny noses, continue to be quite high.
Percent positive coronavirus (NOT COVID) tests weekly
Source: CDC March 19, 2024 LINK
The number of cases of measles continues to climb in the Chicago area, and we know little about the measles outbreak in Florida. The number of measles cases reported this year has already equaled the number reported in the entire 2023 calendar year. The CDC now recommends children as young as 6 months who are traveling internationally be vaccinated with the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine. Measles, which frequently leads to hospitalization, is highly contagious. The MMR vaccine provides excellent protection (97% with two vaccinations) and has proven to be very safe.
Source CDC March 19, 2024 LINK
Rates of norovirus, a highly contagious virus that causes diarrhea and vomiting, remain high.
Source: CDC March 19, 2024 LINK
Caitlin River’s Substack “Forces of Infection” is helpful as a review of the national infectious disease.
Implications for employers:
- Respiratory virus risk has decreased, although there will still be worker absences due to their own and their children’s illnesses.
- Sick leave allows employees to stay away from work when they are ill.
- Handwashing is important to prevent the spread of norovirus and influenza, and good indoor air quality (both ventilation and filtration) reduces transmission of respiratory viruses.
- The CDC has recommended a spring COVID-19 booster (the XBB vaccine from Fall, 2023) for those over 65 of age or those ages 12-64 with moderate or severe immunocompromise. There have been surges of COVID in the summers of 2022 and 2023, and the vaccine was highly effective in preventing symptomatic illness this Fall. Those who get the current vaccine this Spring will still be eligible for the newly formulated vaccine in the fall.
Thanks for reading. You can find previous posts in the Employer Coverage archive
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