Amid a statewide surge in respiratory viruses, local healthcare providers are reporting an uptick in cases in the region, though local data is limited.
According to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, there have been 952 influenza-associated hospitalizations from Oct. 2 through Dec. 3, the most recent data available, and 435 of those cases were reported in the week ending Dec. 3.
There have been 1,700 hospitalizations associated with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) from Oct...
Amid a statewide surge in respiratory viruses, local healthcare providers are reporting an uptick in cases in the region, though local data is limited.
According to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, there have been 952 influenza-associated hospitalizations from Oct. 2 through Dec. 3, the most recent data available, and 435 of those cases were reported in the week ending Dec. 3.
There have been 1,700 hospitalizations associated with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) from Oct. 1 through Dec. 3, and more than three-quarters of those were children. However, that data only covers five Front Range counties: Adams, Arapahoe, Denver, Douglas and Jefferson. Children’s hospitals are concentrated on the Front Range, and the virus isn’t typically reported when it doesn’t result in hospitalization, Public Health Director Tanner Kingery told Ouray County commissioners last week.
The virus usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms, but is most serious in infants and seniors. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, RSV is the most common cause of pneumonia and bronchiolitis, or inflammation of the small airways in the lung, in children under age 1 in the United States. While almost all children get the virus by the time they are two, one to two out of every 100 children under 6 months who have an RSV infection may need to be hospitalized, the CDC said, where they receive treatment including IV fluids, supplemental oxygen or mechanical ventilation to help with breathing.
Adults over age 65, and those with chronic heart or lung disease or weakened immune systems, are also more vulnerable to severe RSV infections.
Knowing more about what respiratory viruses are circulating locally would be beneficial, KIngery said, but reporting isn’t mandatory, the way it has been with COVID-19.
Trena Simons, an epidemiologist for the West Central Public Health Partnership who is based in Gunnison, has started attempting to collect some local data from providers in the region, but regional results aren’t available yet. Only one health care provider in Ouray County, Ridgway Center for Whole Health, has responded to Simons’ survey, and reported no RSV cases.
The situation hasn’t reached the levels seen on the Front Range, where the surge in viruses in November led to bed shortages, and prompted Children’s Hospital Colorado in Aurora to set up a tent to keep up with demand.
But while data is limited, local providers told the Plaindealer they’ve seen an uptick.
Dr. Alexis Garza, the medical director of the emergency department at Montrose Regional Health, said she has seen “a large number of RSV positives.”
“Some are very sick. I flew out two kids within the last two weeks with severe bronchiolitis,” Garza said, and she’d sent an immunocompromised adult home on oxygen the day before.
Dr. Joel Gates said the Ridgway Cedar Point Health clinic is “seeing a lot of cough and cold symptoms, and have had positive influenza and COVID cases,” but the office doesn’t test for RSV. “This is the time of year for these types of illnesses, and I know that Montrose has been dealing with increased cases of the upper respiratory illnesses,” he said.
Pediatrics Associates in Montrose has seen more cases than usual in November and December, Dr. Thomas Miller said. The practice provides pediatric services at the hospital.
“Every winter, kids get sick,” he said. But the number of illnesses he’s seeing in November and December is more common in January and February, he said.
“Most of the time, we’ll see a surge of the flu, and then a while later we’ll see a surge of RSV, and then we’ll see a surge of a different virus,” he said, with an ebb and flow throughout the season into March and April. What he’s seeing now is an earlier spike and “everything at once now.”
“Here locally, it’s a lot for this time of year,” he said. On a typical day lately, he might see 20 to 25 patients, 10 to 15 of whom have a respiratory virus, he said.
Miller is hopeful that the early uptick he’s seen locally won’t last through the season. “It would be unusual to see rates as high as they are now through March or April,” he said, because of the earlier surge.
For most people, except babies and toddlers, “RSV is a cold,” Miller said. But with any virus, there are three things to watch for: if a child is working harder to breathe, is dehydrated or has another infection that needs treatment. There isn’t a specific treatment for RSV, and not everyone with symptoms needs to be tested; they tend to test when a child is at higher-risk or if it provides clarity on a situation.
He urged frequent handwashing to prevent spreading viruses, and greater care for parents of babies. “If you have a young infant, be that parent that makes people wash their hands before holding the baby,” he said, and keep very young infants away from big crowds. He also encouraged getting flu shots.
Kingery reminded people of the same precautions preached over the last almost-three years to prevent COVID-19: masking, washing hands, staying home when sick, and improving ventilation, as well as keeping up with vaccines. His department has given almost 500 flu shots and 637 COVID boosters since September.
Both flu shots and COVID-19 shots are available at Ouray County Public Health, and appointments can be made online through ouraycountyco.gov, or by calling 970-325-4670.
Liz Teitz is a journalist with Report for America, a national service program which places reporters in underserved areas. You can support her work with a tax-deductible donation. Email erin@ouraynews.com for more information.