New Hampshire has one of the highest respiratory illness risks in the country, CDC says

Data shows New Hampshire has one of the highest rates of respiratory illness risk in the country. Local health officials are now sharing what the impact will mean moving forward for the rest of winter.According to its latest data, the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services says it’s recorded 11 adult deaths so far this flu season. While not inherently a deadly disease, Dr. Lukas Kolm, Medical Staff president and director of emergency services at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital, says there are some clear symptoms to look out for from Influenza A. He notes that’s the strain they’re seeing the most of in recent patients.”A fair amount of people have body aches, vomiting, dehydration, high fevers,” he said, “and challenges just to stay comfortable and to keep hydrated.”The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists New Hampshire as one of three states with high respiratory illness risk per its latest data, alongside New Jersey and Wisconsin. The latest numbers show COVID-19 and RSV viruses are also having their own smaller bumps at the same time as the flu.This data comes despite a freeze by the Trump administration on information from federal health agencies. The CDC issued a statement to News 9 addressing the freeze:HHS has issued a pause on mass communications and public appearances that are not directly related to emergencies or critical to preserving health. This is a short pause to allow the new team to set up a process for review and prioritization. There are exceptions for announcements that HHS divisions believe are mission critical, but they will be made on a case-by-case basis.CDC data also shows hospital visits for flu-like illnesses are up more than three percent in New Hampshire over the last month. At Wentworth-Douglass Hospital in Dover, medical professionals are seeing the surge firsthand on the emergency room floor.”Even though we’ve had an uptick in COVID cases, I haven’t seen the same severity and symptoms as for the flu,” Kolm said.The Concord Hospital System says it’s observing the same patterns, with both patients and the staff feeling the direct effects of an increase in volume across all three sites.”Our staff members also succumb to these illnesses,” said Dr. Christopher Fore, chief quality officer at Concord Hospital. “We have definitely seen an increase in sick calls and staff, which actually makes the situation a little harder to deal with.”Fore says there’s no clear indicator where these surges are originating from, besides more close proximity due to cold conditions. It’s a cycle that they say they’ve started to see more often this time of year, but they are finding “creative” ways to resolve to make sure they have the proper resources to handle the surge.”If people around you or in your community are sick, steer clear,” Fore said. “Stay healthy, get lots of sleep, take your vitamins and just be seen when you feel like you’re concerned and you need to be seen by a healthcare provider.”Doctors recommend some simple ways to protect yourself from getting sick this winter, including hand washing, face washing, getting vaccinated, and wearing a mask when you fly for travel.
Data shows New Hampshire has one of the highest rates of respiratory illness risk in the country. Local health officials are now sharing what the impact will mean moving forward for the rest of winter.
According to its latest data, the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services says it’s recorded 11 adult deaths so far this flu season. While not inherently a deadly disease, Dr. Lukas Kolm, Medical Staff president and director of emergency services at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital, says there are some clear symptoms to look out for from Influenza A. He notes that’s the strain they’re seeing the most of in recent patients.
“A fair amount of people have body aches, vomiting, dehydration, high fevers,” he said, “and challenges just to stay comfortable and to keep hydrated.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists New Hampshire as one of three states with high respiratory illness risk per its latest data, alongside New Jersey and Wisconsin. The latest numbers show COVID-19 and RSV viruses are also having their own smaller bumps at the same time as the flu.
This data comes despite a freeze by the Trump administration on information from federal health agencies. The CDC issued a statement to News 9 addressing the freeze:
HHS has issued a pause on mass communications and public appearances that are not directly related to emergencies or critical to preserving health. This is a short pause to allow the new team to set up a process for review and prioritization. There are exceptions for announcements that HHS divisions believe are mission critical, but they will be made on a case-by-case basis.
CDC data also shows hospital visits for flu-like illnesses are up more than three percent in New Hampshire over the last month. At Wentworth-Douglass Hospital in Dover, medical professionals are seeing the surge firsthand on the emergency room floor.
“Even though we’ve had an uptick in COVID cases, I haven’t seen the same severity and symptoms as for the flu,” Kolm said.
The Concord Hospital System says it’s observing the same patterns, with both patients and the staff feeling the direct effects of an increase in volume across all three sites.
“Our staff members also succumb to these illnesses,” said Dr. Christopher Fore, chief quality officer at Concord Hospital. “We have definitely seen an increase in sick calls and staff, which actually makes the situation a little harder to deal with.”
Fore says there’s no clear indicator where these surges are originating from, besides more close proximity due to cold conditions. It’s a cycle that they say they’ve started to see more often this time of year, but they are finding “creative” ways to resolve to make sure they have the proper resources to handle the surge.
“If people around you or in your community are sick, steer clear,” Fore said. “Stay healthy, get lots of sleep, take your vitamins and just be seen when you feel like you’re concerned and you need to be seen by a healthcare provider.”
Doctors recommend some simple ways to protect yourself from getting sick this winter, including hand washing, face washing, getting vaccinated, and wearing a mask when you fly for travel.
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