Second wave of flu sends hospitalizations surging; vaccines urged
WINDBER, Pa. – A surge in flu-related hospitalization across western Pennsylvania – the highest statewide since 2010 – has some health centers reintroducing mask mandates.
Others, including officials at Chan Soon-Shiong Medical Center, urged the public to consider flu vaccinations, especially for the young and very old who are at higher risk for complications.
Dr. David Csikos, who serves as chief medical officer at the Windber-based medical center, said the rising caseload is particularly concerning for people already dealing with chronic issues – such as diabetes, heart disease and lung issues.
Dr. David Csikos
Dr. David Csikos
'That's where the risk is greatest. That's where we're seeing a lot of our cases,' Csikos said, noting the influenza's respiratory symptoms have a more severe impact on people who already have compromised health.
His advice: It's not too late to get vaccinated.
'The vaccines are safe and effective,' he said, noting they work to prevent severe complications from developing with the virus.
Csikos said the virus spreads annually in the colder months, and he continues advising people to get flu shots until late March.
Mandates issued
Several eastern Pennsylvania hospitals were operating under masking mandates for patients, visitors and staff, including University of Pennsylvania Health System in Philadelphia.
UPMC's Western Maryland facilities were also under a mask mandate this week, but that did not apply to health centers in Pennsylvania, hospital officials said.
UPMC Hillman Cancer Center at John P. Murtha Pavillion
Dr. Michael Voloshin, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center at John P. Murtha Pavillion medical oncologist, shown here at the facility on Somerset Street in downtown Johnstown on Wednesday, September 7, 2022.
Still, UPMC hospitals issued a statement 'strongly encouraging' masking inside all of its facilities.
'UPMC is seeing an increase in cases of respiratory viruses, including (COVID-19), influenza and RSV. To protect the health and safety of our employees, patients and visitors, everyone in our health care facilities is strongly encouraged to wear effective masks, which reduce transmission of respiratory viruses in health care settings,' UPMC officials said in a statement sent to The Tribune-Democrat.
UPMC has hospitals in Pittsburgh, Bedford, Altoona and Somerset, as well as its Johnstown-based cancer center, among others.
Flu cases surge
The Department of Health's respiratory virus dashboard showed influenza cases surging this month.
Cambria County's caseload rate was the highest in the region, with 1,234 cases reported for every 100,000 people.
Nearby Somerset County had a rate of 264 per 100,000, Department of Health figures showed.
RSV cases have also been high, but are declining statewide, while emergency visits for COVID cases are low statewide, CDC data indicates.
Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center officials confirmed both COVID and flu cases were up in February, but 'not beyond levels we would expect this time of year,' Marketing and Communications Director Tammy Barbin said.
She said hospital officials were monitoring the situation, and that masking remained voluntary as of Tuesday.
'Waning immunity'
Health officials noted the statewide trend was particularly alarming for children 4 years old and younger.
Just over 5.3% of the Southwest Region's emergency room visits were due to influenza cases.
Within the same southwest corridor of Pennsylvania, confirmed cases almost doubled, from just over 1,700 in mid-January to 3,030 Feb. 1, data show.
Csikos said a decline in vaccinations this flu season is likely playing a role.
For example, CDC figures show the percentage of children who are vaccinated this season was down to less than 45%, compared to almost 60% in 2019.
'There's a waning immunity level (across the nation),' he said.
Csikos said Windber medical officials are also monitoring cases locally and will consider reimplementing masking procedures inside its facilities if caseloads continue to climb.
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