A leading medical expert is cautiously optimistic that this year’s flu season will be a mild one, but the presence of other ailments such as COVID-19 reflect a new annual reality.
“We’ve really morphed from an influenza season to a respiratory viral season,” said Dr. Dora Mills, chief health improvement officer at MaineHealth.
Since the season officially began in October, the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention has reported fewer than 50 confirmed cases of Influenza. There have been only 19 hospitalizations related to influenza, and only one death blamed on the disease, according to MaineCDC data.
Mills said MaineHealth hospitals, such as Maine Medical Center in Portland, are also seeing low numbers so far. Mills also said the strains of influenza now seen in Maine are compatible with current flu shots.
“We’re not seeing the worst strains, and the strains we’re seeing are a good match for the vaccine,” she said.
What MMC is seeing, however, is a combination of people with influenza, COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus and similar respiratory ailments. In a typical day, Mills said, MMC may treat around 650 patients, but over the past few weeks there have been a steady stream of patients with COVID, as many as 20-25 per day. That puts even more of a demand on space and personnel than hospitals expect to see this time of year.
“All of a sudden, you don’t have a lot of breathing room,” she said.
Despite the concerns, Mills said there are “no red flags” so far about any expected surge of influenza, COVID or RSV.
“I don’t think we’re going to see the 'triple-demic' that some people were predicting,” she said.
Mills added, however, that diseases are unpredictable, and she urged everyone to get the latest influenza and COVID vaccines to keep themselves and people around them safe this winter. Mainers who are age 60 and older can also get an RSV vaccine.
“It’s not too late to get vaccinated,” she said.
