By Cassie N. Saunders
COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE
The County has revised its Respiratory Virus Surveillance Report to better show current illness trends and to forecast whether respiratory illnesses and hospitalizations may rise or fall.
The new Public Health Services report is available by subscription online as a downloadable PDF. Simple graphics at the top give visitors a snapshot of respiratory virus activity.
The report tracks test positivity and emergency department visits for COVID-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Weekly reporting resumes today as flu season begins.
As visitors scroll through the report, they will see two-week forecasts for projected hospitalizations. These forecasts help hospitals and healthcare partners prepare for potential surges.
Early Flu Surge
Current data show an unusually early rise in seasonal flu activity. Test positivity has increased to 8.0% with 58 hospitalizations and eight deaths reported.
“It is vital that if you haven’t gotten the flu shot or if you’ve been thinking about it to make the appointment or walk in as soon as possible,” County Public Health Officer Sayone Thihalolipavan, MD, MPH said. “The vaccine looks like it will be highly effective against the strain of flu now circulating.”
Flu season typically starts in October or November, and health care providers recommend vaccination by Halloween. The County generally sees increased activity in mid-November, but some recent seasons have peaked much later. The flu vaccine is safe and effective, covered by insurance and available through your health care provider, or the County’s public health clinics for those who are uninsured.
More information about vaccines is available on the Public Health Services’ Immunization Unit website.
NEW FORECASTING TOOL
The County partnered with University of California San Diego researchers at the Resilient Shield project, funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to build new public health forecasting tools that are featured in the new Respiratory Virus Surveillance Report. Using local hospitalization data, Resilient Shield can predict COVID, influenza, and RSV hospitalizations in the coming week, giving hospital systems actionable insights tailored to San Diego County’s size and population.
“The new forecasting feature represents another advance for public health and reflects the strength of this collaboration,” said Seema Shah, MD, MPH, Medical Director of County Epidemiology and Immunization Services.
Last year, the Resilient Shield partnership created an interactive dashboard that combines environmental data sources to provide a clearer picture of the Tijuana River Valley sewage crisis. The dashboard serves as a one-stop shop for South Bay residents seeking information about the issue.
The partnership has also helped guide the County’s surveillance of the New World Screwworm threat.
The County remains committed to providing clear, reliable information so residents can protect themselves, support their families and help keep the community healthy throughout the season.
Reprinted courtesy San Diego County Office of Communications.