Georgia braces for winter virus season: COVID-19 decline countered by rise in flu and RSV cases – wgxa.tv

Georgia braces for winter virus season: COVID-19 decline countered by rise in flu and RSV cases

by Brianna Cook

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GEORGIA (WGXA) -- Georgia's state epidemiologist Dr. Cherie Drenzek has given state officials an idea of what to expect this winter when it comes to viruses like COVID-19, Flu, and RSV.

She explained cases of COVID-19 are declining as the state heads into the respiratory virus season. However, cases of RSV and flu are expected to return to pre-pandemic levels.

She says although it is good news the threat is still there for all 3 viruses and when combined can be a lot worse.

"Because we have a circulation of RSV and flu at relatively moderate levels when you put COVID on top of it, it really can push up the overall activity for respiratory viruses," said Drenzek.

According to the CDC before covid-19, flu and RSV, were the main causes of severe respiratory disease during this time of year.

Drenzek says due to both the vaccines and the widespread immunity Georgians have acquired during the pandemic years deaths and hospitalizations from COVID have decreased in the state, but that doesn't mean variants won't come and go.

"The wild card is that the circulating variants can change rapidly and ultimately result in high levels of transmissions and surging cases," said Drenzek.

With no reports of any current surges in COVID, Drenzek says cases of flu in Georgia are starting to rise and children from 0 to age 4 are by far the group most affected.

"We want to target youngsters for RSV and flu prevention primarily for outpatient visits and again those over the age of 65 are vulnerable to COVID," said Drenzek.

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Georgia braces for winter virus season: COVID-19 decline countered by rise in flu and RSV cases - wgxa.tv