As the holiday season winds down, San Antonio is grappling with a rising tide of respiratory illnesses. According to the Metropolitan Health District's latest update, San Antonio has seen a jump of 966 COVID cases since December 19. Dr. Bryan Alsip, chief medical officer for University Health, has confirmed that the number of hospitalizations for COVID-19 is also up, with the current number of patients hospitalized reaching 159, an increase from the previous average of 120, as San Antonio Report outlined.
Despite these concerning figures, the holiday season cheer seemingly continues to quickly spread more than just goodwill. "Holiday travels and gatherings have increased person-to-person contact, [so] we’re seeing a larger number of infections of COVID and transmission of that infection," Alsip told San Antonio Report. It's not just COVID-19 that's on the rise; flu infections have surged, surpassing COVID case numbers in Bexar County hospitals, according to University Health data reported by the CDC.
The double whammy of flu and COVID infections post-holidays is raising alarms. "We've seen a significant increase, particularly influenza both flu A, and flu B," Alsip stated in a statement provided to KENS 5. San Antonio isn't alone in this uptick; it mirrors a state trend with the CDC indicating high levels of respiratory illness based on healthcare visits for symptoms like fever, cough, or sore throat.
Meanwhile, one shot of good news comes as RSV cases start to decline, a trend that might reflect the effects of the RSV vaccine according to Alsip in an interview given to KENS 5. With respiratory viruses looking to potentially outstay their welcome, Alsip urges the community to strongly consider getting vaccinated against both influenza and COVID-19. Alsip also suggests resorting to masking, "especially if you're going to be in large groups where you can't control the environment."
Given the ongoing pandemic and flu season, Alsip advises additional precautions for those at higher risk. "Maybe if your immunocompromised, or have you know serious underlying medical conditions, even think more carefully about whether you want to put yourself at risk in those settings," he told KENS 5. As San Antonio and beyond grapple with the post-holiday health challenges, vigilance and preventative measures are at a premium to keep these seasonal unwelcome visitors at bay.
