The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) continues to monitor increases in respiratory viruses, including flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and COVID-19.
The CDPHE is supporting the coordination of hospitals as they plan for the possibility of more cases. Cases are also occurring earlier than usual in the respiratory illness season.
Coloradans can help prevent respiratory viruses by:
- Seeing or calling a health care provider or doctor before going to a busy emergency department when you or your child has respiratory symptoms. Your provider can help you determine the best ways to manage symptoms and when it is important to be seen in the clinic, urgent care or emergency department.
- Staying home when sick, including not visiting or interacting with people who may be at higher risk, including older adults, young children, and infants. This is key to preventing the spread of viruses and causing outbreaks which put additional strain on the hospital system.
- Washing your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds with soap and water or with hand sanitizer with 60 percent alcohol.
- Covering your nose and mouth with a tissue or upper arm sleeve when you cough or sneeze. Throw away the tissue after you use it and clean hands as instructed above.
- Cleaning potentially contaminated surfaces, like doorknobs, tables, handrails, etc.
- Avoiding sharing cups, eating utensils and touching your face with unwashed hands.
“As the weather gets colder, more people are spending more time indoors, and viruses are more likely to spread indoors,” said Dr. Rachel Herlihy, state epidemiologist, CDPHE. “We have three respiratory viruses circulating right now, but we can all help reduce disease transmission by getting vaccinated, isolating when sick and maintaining good hand hygiene, which can help lessen the strain on our health care system. What might feel like a mild cold for one person can be very serious for another person, especially infants, young children, someone who is immunocompromised or older adults.”
Child care centers and schools can also play an active role in preventing the spread through increased handwashing, disinfecting surfaces and areas, and strict adherence to and implementing their illness policies. The CDPHE is in frequent communication withK-12 schools, preschool programs and child care facilities to provide information about RSV, including strategies to reduce transmission. Since the beginning of October, the CDPHE has shared resources, such as the updated 2022-23 Guidance for Prevention and Control of Non- COVID-19 Respiratory Illnesses in Schools and Child Care Settings, How Sick is Too Sick tool, and Infectious Disease in School and Child Care Settings.
Flu
In Colorado, 25 people were hospitalized with flu during the week ending October 29, 2022, for a total of 49 people hospitalized since October 2. Visit CDPHE’s flu webpage for the Colorado Flu & RSV Report, which tracks flu and RSV numbers in the state and updates weekly.
RSV
Colorado, along with multiple regions across the United States, has seen a sharp increase in reported RSV outbreaks and hospitalizations. From October 1-29, 2022, there have been 367 RSV-associated hospitalizations in the five-county Denver metropolitan area (Adams, Arapahoe, Denver, Douglas, and Jefferson counties) and 57 outbreaks in child care and school settings statewide. Among these outbreaks, more than half have had at least one person involved in the outbreak seek care at a hospital. Hospital reports indicate that the increase in RSV cases is putting a strain on the pediatric health care system as 95% of current RSV hospitalizations are among children. Based on previous patterns, high levels of RSV transmission are expected to continue for at least several weeks.
COVID-19
Colorado is also experiencing a defined upward trend in cases of COVID-19. Percent positivity is increasing, and cases and hospitalizations in Colorado have increased slightly in recent weeks. BA.5 remains the most prevalent subvariant, and BQ.1, BQ.1.1, and BF.7 are emerging and could accelerate transmission in the coming weeks. People who test positive for COVID-19 should isolate and consider treatment to help them recover.
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