Staying Ahead of Respiratory Viruses: CDC Updates and Prevention Tips

Angie Szumlinski
|
January 7, 2025
Image of a microscopic COVID virus

As of December 27, 2024, the amount of acute respiratory illness driving people to seek healthcare is high nationally. COVID-19, seasonal influenza, and RSV activity continue to rise across the country. For those monitoring trends, the CDC provides weekly updates on its Respiratory Virus Updates and Prevention Tips page, which summarizes this week’s findings and provides the latest data.

The CDC anticipates that the fall and winter virus season will see a similar or lower peak number of combined hospitalizations from COVID-19, influenza, and RSV compared to last year. However, hospitalizations for respiratory viruses are still likely to remain much higher than pre-COVID-19 levels.

As we enter a new year with hopes for health and well-being, it’s a good time to review resources available through the CDC. Informational links include details on obtaining free COVID-19 test kits, steps to take if you’re feeling ill, what to do if you have symptoms, and a comprehensive FAQ section to address other concerns.

Remember, vaccines are your first line of defense, closely followed by hand hygiene and cough etiquette. Take advantage of these resources to protect yourself and others this season.

Stay well and stay informed!

For more information, see the following links:


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