Respiratory illness rates are low now, but local health care professionals warn that holiday travel and gatherings could quickly change that.
As Sonoma and Napa county residents prepare for Thanksgiving travel and family gatherings, local infectious disease experts are encouraging them to take steps to reduce the spread of respiratory illnesses, including influenza, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus.
While the rates of respiratory virus infection are currently low, health experts expect that to change during the holiday season and cold winter months.
Flu and cold season runs from November to April, though last year it got an early start. Dr. Karen Smith, Sonoma County’s interim health officer, said Tuesday that despite low levels of respiratory viruses, COVID-19 is “creeping up a little bit” in wastewater surveillance.
“Fingers crossed that this will not be a really bad respiratory virus season,” she said. “Unfortunately, the fact that it’s starting a little later does not necessarily mean that.”
On Nov. 12, Smith issued a county health order requiring all heath care personnel who see patients in Sonoma County to wear masks from November through April. The order went into effect Nov. 18.
It applies to all employees working in patient care areas regardless of vaccination status. It also applies to businesses with health care delivery facilities.
Smith said Tuesday that the order was not so much a response to current respiratory virus rates but rather an effort to blunt any possible surge in such illnesses. Another goal, she said, is to minimize illness among local health care workers, whose ranks have been winnowed by the pandemic and its aftermath.
“We have more people going for health care during the winter season, and we do not have robust health care personnel staffing at most health care facilities,” she said.
“We want to be sure that our health care providers don’t get respiratory viruses from patients and have to then stay home,” Smith added.
Dr. Christine Wu, Napa County health officer and Public Health deputy director, said her office is preparing for the upcoming respiratory virus season while rates are low. Wu said people begin spending more time indoors during the winter months and will likely increase circulation of respiratory viruses.
“It’s important to know all the ways to stay healthy this winter, starting with vaccination against COVID-19, the flu and RSV,” she said, adding that those who have received an RSV vaccination last year don’t need it again this year.
Wu said vaccines are available through residents’ health care providers or commercial pharmacies. People without insurance can get the vaccine through the county. An upcoming flu vaccine clinic is scheduled for 8 a.m. to noon Dec. 10 at the Napa Farmers Market at 1100 West St., Napa.
Dr. Gary Green, an infectious disease expert with Sutter Santa Rosa Regional Hospital, said that about 5% of all nasal swabs done in Sutter outpatient clinics are turning up positive.
However, he said the positivity rate for his patients who have recently traveled is three times as high. Green warned that holiday travel is likely to ratchet up infections.
Both Green and Smith recommended wearing masks while traveling.
“There’s a real lackadaisical attitude now” among travelers and at airport facilities, Green said. He said he wears a mask when traveling by plane, carries hand sanitizer and wipes down the seating area around him on the plane.
Smith said travel brings large numbers of people into contact with each other, often in close quarters that spur the spread of viruses. Another contributing factor, she said, is that people often get tired and fatigued when they travel.
That fatigue and the lack of hydration can contribute to people developing symptoms if they become exposed to viruses.
“If you’re at your most robust and well-hydrated, eating well and sleeping well, you may not have as much in the way of symptoms,” she said.
Dr. Jessica August, an infectious disease expert at Kaiser Santa Rosa Medical Center, recommended using a “layered approach” to stay healthy and safe as the holidays approach.
That includes making sure you’re up to date with vaccinations, which decreases the chance of developing severe infection and hospitalization, she said in an email. Another layer of protection is to remind others to remain home when they’re sick or show signs of illness.
“Additionally, don’t forget the basics of masking and hand hygiene when you’re likely to have extended, close contact with others,” she said. “This is still an effective option for decreasing disease transmission and can be another added method of protection.”
Wu, Napa’s health officer, also recommended people keep an extra supply or COVID-19 tests, which can be obtained free through the U.S. Postal Service.
You can reach Staff Writer Martin Espinoza at 707-521-5213 or martin.espinoza@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @pressreno.
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