Message from UIC Contact Tracing & Epidemiology Program – Staying safe this holiday season
Across the United States, rates of multiple respiratory diseases are high compared to previous years. In fact, you may have heard the term “tripledemic” circulating in the media as many health professionals are worried about the potential of seeing high levels of COVID-19, influenza (flu), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) this winter.
It has been encouraging to see hospitalization rates slowly decreasing in Chicago during the past few weeks. However, at the same time COVID-19 cases are gradually increasing in Chicago and increasing case rates are often followed by increases in hospitalizations. On the UIC campus, we are seeing a much more rapid increase in cases likely related to increased indoor activities and Halloween gatherings.
After two years of fairly low influenza activity, experts had been speculating that lack of exposure to the virus could eventually lead to more cases and greater severity in this year’s influenza season. Already, many regions around the country are reporting high or extremely high levels of influenza, and the number of cases continues to increase across the country. In fact, influenza hospitalization rates began to rise earlier this season and have been higher than in any year since 2010-2011.
Similar to influenza, unusually high case numbers are being reported across the country compared to previous years, leading to increases in emergency department visits and hospitalizations around the country and pushing many hospitals to capacity. While RSV is commonly associated with infants and children, it’s important to keep in mind that anyone can be infected with the virus.
To best protect yourself, friends, loved ones, and the community, UIC Contact Tracing would like to remind you of the following:
- Do not come to campus if you are sick or have any symptoms, no matter how mild! No matter the illness, if you are sick, you should stay home, even if you test negative for COVID-19.
- Please note, supervisors should encourage employees to seek medical evaluation at UHS if they suspect illness.
- To report symptoms, a positive COVID-19 result, or exposure to someone with COVID-19, please utilize our decision tool.
- All three viruses are spread in similar ways including direct contact (i.e., hugging, kissing) with someone who has the virus, through droplets created when a person coughs or sneezes, or touching surfaces where the virus may be. Thus, it’s important to practice good hand hygiene and other prevention measures.
- Wash your hands often and don’t touch your face or mouth.
- Make sure you cover any coughs or sneezes. Best practices are to use your elbow, never your hands, or use a tissue.
- Disinfect surfaces often.
- Wear a mask. This helps avoid the spread of respiratory viruses, particularly in crowded, indoor spaces.
- Try gathering outdoors, as weather permits.
- Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 and influenza are the best ways to protect yourself from severe illness, hospitalization, and death.
- The CDC recommends that all individuals 6 months and older are vaccinated for influenza every year.
- The updated COVID-19 booster protects against both the original virus that causes COVID-19 and multiple Omicron sub-variants.
- Both vaccines are available at many places such as your primary care provider, pharmacies, and public health departments.
- If eligible, you can get both vaccines at the same time.
- All three viruses have similar symptoms, and you cannot tell the difference between them by symptoms alone.
- It is important to seek medical care promptly. Early diagnosis and treatment can potentially reduce the severity of the virus.
- Though rare, you can be infected with more than one type of virus like COVID-19 and influenza, at the same time. In these cases, the disease may be more severe.
As the winter weather and holiday season rapidly approaches, we recognize many of you will travel and gather more with loved ones. Please be sure to take steps this holiday season to help keep yourself, your loved ones, and the UIC community safe. For recommendations about staying safe during your travels and university travel policies, please visit our website.
Stay well,
UIC Contact Tracing