Texas is in the thick of a seasonal virus spike, facing a surge in flu and COVID-19 cases after the holiday hustle exposes a classic pattern. Hospitals in North Texas have begun to feel the pressure as both infections climb, signaling a potential health system strain.

In Fort Worth, the Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center is reporting significant upticks in influenza-like and COVID-19 cases. According to Dr. Jay Herd, the hospital's Chief Medical Officer, "We've seen an uptick in our influenza-like illnesses that are coming through the doors, COVID too". The holidays have traditionally facilitated the spread of such illnesses, with family gatherings and travel providing fertile ground for these viruses to hop from one host to the next, as reported by CBS News.

This alarming rise is paralleled by statistics from the Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council, revealing hospitalizations for COVID soared from fewer than 300 in early November to more than 600 by the weekend. While concerns rise, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) cases are reportedly stabilizing, though they continue to be part of the overall respiratory illness challenge. The president and CEO of the Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council, Stephen Love, noted, "So if you add all three of those together – plus other respiratory illnesses – we're at a pretty high level this early in winter," per CBS News.

While the conditions may not be panic-worthy, health experts are reminding the public about the importance of good hygiene. Frequent handwashing, using hand sanitizer, and wearing masks in crowded places can be strong deterrents against spreading viruses. The CDC has confirmed heightened flu activity in Texas, assigning it a level 10, "high" activity tag for influenza season during week 50, referencing the period from December 10 to 16. Tarrant County saw roughly an 8% spike in ER visits due to respiratory illnesses including those caused by the flu and COVID-19. Denton County reported 129 positive influenza tests and 16 hospitalizations during the same period, according to NBC DFW.

Health officials are underscoring the importance of staying home if symptomatic and the effectiveness of vaccines against these seasonal threats. "I think taking your temperature is a good idea because some people say, 'Oh, I only have allergies, it's just Texas allergies,'" Dr. Donna Casey, an internist at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas, said. "Well, if you've got a temperature, it's not Texas allergies." Dr. Herd also emphasized that it's not too late to get the flu shot, which has proven efficacy in preventing hospitalizations, per CBS News.