EAU CLAIRE, Wis. WEAU – Health officials in Eau Claire and across Wisconsin are reporting a surge in cases of the flu, RSV, and COVID-19, with increasing hospitalizations from all three illnesses.
According to the Eau Claire City-County Health Department, there have been 116 hospitalizations due to the flu, 77 from COVID-19, and 30 from RSV. Officials note that people of all ages are being affected.
The department advises individuals experiencing flu-like symptoms to take an at-home COVID test. Additionally, body aches or chills may indicate influenza, while respiratory issues beyond those symptoms could suggest RSV.
Rachel Mukai, an epidemiologist with the Eau Claire City-County Health Department, explains that colder weather plays a role in the rise of infections.
“So cold weather can definitely increase the spread more because we start to go indoors and have a lot more close contact with a higher amount of individuals than we do in the summer when we have more time outdoors and events outside. So being in those closed corridors can increase the risk of spread of these diseases,” said Mukai.
Mukai adds that it is unclear if the region has reached its peak of infections. She encourages the public to monitor for fevers and respiratory issues, practice regular handwashing, and stay up-to-date with COVID-19 and flu vaccinations.