As the vacation season will get into full swing, public well being officers are advising the general public to remain up-to-date on their vaccinations for COVID-19, flu and RSV and to remain house if unwell, amongst different suggestions.

Regional wastewater knowledge reveals that an infection charges are at present excessive, a development that might proceed within the coming weeks as extra individuals collect indoors for the vacations. Public well being officers throughout the Bay Area, together with Alameda and Contra Costa counties, additionally issued a joint reminder for staying secure this vacation season earlier this week.

Data from Stanford University’s WastewaterSCAN dashboard reveals excessive to medium ranges of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and norovirus, a gastrointestinal virus, throughout 5 out of six native sewersheds.

Influenza A, one other widespread fall and winter virus, can also be in excessive concentrations in some sewersheds, whose sewage is examined at regional wastewater therapy crops.

RSV is a extremely infectious respiratory sickness that’s significantly regarding for infants, young children and the aged, in response to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

On the Peninsula, proof of RSV has been excessive up to now 21 days on the Silicon Valley Clean Water plant in Redwood City, Palo Alto Regional Water Quality Control Plant, City of Sunnyvale Water Pollution Control Plant, San Jose-Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility and the South County Regional Wastewater Authority in Gilroy.

RSV concentrations are low in samplings taken from Stanford.

Levels of influenza A, a variant of the flu virus, have been excessive within the Palo Alto, Sunnyvale and San Jose sewersheds within the final 21 days. Influenza A is at low concentrations within the Redwood City and Gilroy sewersheds, and at Stanford.

Emergency room visits associated to influenza-like diseases have elevated 1.5% in response to Santa Clara County Public Health influenza and RSV knowledge dashboards.

The COVID-19 virus, SARS-CoV-2, can also be nonetheless very a lot energetic all through the county, with some severe instances. Hospital admissions present a seven-day common of 12 new admissions per day by means of Nov. 10, the most recent knowledge accessible. Twelve sufferers had been admitted to the ICU, in response to county knowledge.

Dr. Jamila Champsi, chief of infectious ailments at Kaiser Permanente South San Francisco, stated Kaiser Permanente Northern California is seeing elevated instances of Influenza A and RSV.

“We are seeing cases of RSV in children under the age of 18, and influenza cases in those over the age of 50. We are not seeing an increase in hospital admissions or ICU admissions due to either illness. It is very likely we will see an increase in influenza, RSV, COVID-19, and other respiratory viruses due to travel and people gathering over the holidays,” she stated.

Kaiser continues to advocate that individuals obtain their COVID-19 vaccination and get a flu shot to guard themselves and others.

“COVID-19 and flu vaccines are available by walk-in at our clinics. We encourage our members to get their updated vaccinations through Kaiser Permanente. Visit kp.org for more information about clinic locations and hours. In addition, there is a RSV vaccine available for high-risk individuals including infants, pregnant women, and adults over the age of 60,” she stated.

Wastewater concentrations of SARS-CoV-2 are excessive within the San Jose sewershed. They are at medium concentrations in Palo Alto and Stanford sewersheds, and are at low concentrations in Redwood City, Sunnyvale and Gilroy.

The rise in COVID-19 instances mixed with influenza and RSV — a so-called “trifecta” of anticipated seasonal respiratory sickness — prompted the Santa Clara County Public Health Department to require masking in all affected person care areas in well being care amenities akin to hospitals, clinics and at assisted residing, expert nursing and reminiscence care facilities from Nov. 1 by means of March 31..

“The seasonal increase in circulation of multiple respiratory viruses causes a particular risk to populations more likely to experience severe disease and death if infected, including infants, older adults, and people with impaired immune systems,” the general public well being division stated in an announcement.

“The seasonal surges also risk overwhelming the existing health care system in the county, jeopardizing the capacity to provide care for these and other diseases.”

Dr. Kismet Baldwin-Santana, well being officer of San Mateo County Health, added in a Nov. 30 press launch: “Staying up to date with vaccinations for COVID-19, flu and RSV is the most effective tool for protection. Stay home if unwell, consider testing before gatherings and seek prompt treatment if needed.”

Gastrointestinal norovirus charges are excessive

Respiratory diseases aren’t the one ailments plaguing native residents. Norovirus, which is extremely contagious and may trigger extreme vomiting and diarrhea, is at present trending excessive within the Palo Alto, and Redwood City sewersheds. Norovirus is at medium concentrations within the San Jose, Sunnyvale and Gilroy sewersheds and at low concentrations within the Stanford samplings, in response to the Wastewater SCAN knowledge.

The virus is especially harmful for the aged and may unfold shortly in congregate-housing settings akin to assisted-living and nursing properties. An individual with norovirus may nonetheless be contagious for as much as two weeks after feeling higher, rising the chance of contamination to many individuals. The virus is unfold by means of contact with contaminated surfaces and meals, in response to the CDC.

Advice from public well being leaders

In a Nov. 30 assertion, well being officers from 12 Bay Area counties and town of Berkeley launched suggestions to assist individuals keep wholesome throughout the holidays:

Get vaccinated in opposition to COVID-19, flu and RSV

• These viruses pose the best threat to infants, older adults, and individuals with sure well being situations. Getting advisable vaccines when pregnant protects pregnant individuals and their infants.

• One dose of this yr’s up to date COVID-19 vaccine is advisable for everybody ages six months and older, a minimum of two months after their final dose. Children six months to 4 years outdated and immunocompromised individuals who’ve by no means been vaccinated ought to get extra doses.

• People with out insurance coverage or whose insurance coverage does not cowl the price of vaccines can get the up to date COVID-19 vaccine at no cost by means of the Bridge Access Program. Visit vaccines.gov to discover a location.

• Everyone six months and older ought to get an annual flu vaccine. Children 8 years outdated and youthful want two doses the primary yr they get the flu vaccine. 

• Adults 60 years and older can get vaccinated in opposition to RSV to forestall extreme sickness. Pregnant individuals also needs to get the RSV vaccine at 32 to 36 weeks of being pregnant to guard their new child. RSV vaccines can be found at many pharmacies and healthcare suppliers.

Sick? Stay house

• Stay house as a lot as potential till you’ve gotten recovered, regardless of which virus you’ve gotten.

• People who want pressing or emergency medical care, together with testing or therapy, shouldn’t hesitate to hunt it.

Test if feeling sick

• Test immediately. Symptoms of COVID-19 could also be gentle.

• Stock up on home-test kits. This fall, each family can rise up to eight free COVID-19 checks from the U.S. authorities by means of covid.gov/checks.

Get therapy

• Medication for COVID-19 helps stop hospitalization and is out there to most adults and a few teenagers with even gentle signs.

• COVID-19 therapy works greatest when began proper after signs start, and inside 5 days of symptom onset. Talk to a healthcare supplier about therapy choices or go to covid19.ca.gov/therapy.

• Antiviral therapy is out there for individuals who check optimistic for flu who’re at excessive threat for extreme sickness.

Wear a masks, enhance air flow

• Consider masking in indoor public locations, particularly if at greater threat for extreme illness (over 65 years of age and/or individuals with sure well being situations).

• Wear a well-fitting, high-quality masks akin to a KF94, KN95 or N95.

• Improve air flow indoors by turning on HVAC methods, filtering the air with a transportable HEPA filter — the identical sort that many use for wildfire smoke. Point followers out open home windows, or open doorways and home windows when potential.