Peak Season for Respiratory Viruses Has Passed, CDC Data Shows

It may be February, and whether or not the Groundhog has predicted an early Spring, warmer weather is around the corner, and most importantly, the respiratory trifecta of RSV, Flu and Covid that has troubled families over the winter is coming to an end.

In its latest update on respiratory viruses, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that declining hospitalizations related to RSV, Flu and Covid show that respiratory virus season is likely past its peak. A peak that combined saw fewer Covid, Flu and RSV hospitalizations than last year.

“As we saw last season, Covid, flu, and RSV account for a large proportion of hospitalizations for respiratory viruses during the fall and winter months. This season, flu and RSV illnesses started increasing later in the fall, which is more like what we typically saw before the pandemic,” the organization said in a statement.

The CDC emphasizes that despite declining hospitalizations, respiratory disease activity remains elevated, and some flu activity indicators have increased again. While we might be out of the woods, respiratory virus season isn’t over, and it’s “not time to let our guard down.”

While we are now past the January cut-off in which pregnant women and babies under 8 months are recommended to be vaccinated against RSV, the CDC still encourages those who haven’t received their Covid or flu vaccine to get their shot. “At this point in the season, vaccination uptake for Covid and flu is slightly lower than last season, which means many people are missing out on this layer of protection against the most severe outcomes of these illnesses,” the CDC noted.

Here’s to healthier days ahead!