Sonoma Valley respiratory illnesses expected to climb

Sonoma Valley health providers have not been experiencing the recent, notable increases in COVID-19, RSV and the flu seen in much of the country, but expect that this could change in the coming weeks.

“We are doing more testing for these viruses, but most are negative,” said Cheryl Johnson, CEO of Sonoma Valley Community Health Center. “We tend to trend later than on the East Coast, so we are anticipating an increase soon.”

From Nov. 19-25, there were more than eight hospitalizations related to respiratory viruses for every 100,000 people in the United States, a 52% increase over the previous month, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

COVID-19 still accounted for most of the hospitalizations, but flu and RSV hospitalizations have been rising faster.

Johnson said that Sonoma Valley Community Health Center keeps statistics on COVID-19, but not on the other two viruses.

“Testing has decreased over the year due to home testing and now because the tests are no longer free,” she said. “A PCR test is now about $107. In November, we completed 27 tests, with only two being positive.”

Sonoma Valley Hospital has had a slight uptick in flu cases, but no rise in COVID-19 after an increase in the preceding two months, and no documented increase in RSV cases.

“We are expecting some seasonal increase in the rates of these viruses during the winter, but it is unknown how large or significant this increase will be,” said Dr. Sujatha Sankaran, chief medical officer at Sonoma Valley Hospital.

She said that last year, a unique confluence of many factors, including the cessation of many COVID-19 health measures, reduced population immunity and the “tripledemic” phenomena of increased rates of the three viruses all lead to a spike to respiratory illnesses during the winter.

Sankaran said she does not expect to see the same spike to occur this year.

Countywide, there has been a rise in the three respiratory illnesses and an increased detection of them in wastewater surveillance, which, along with hospitalizations, is the main metric the Sonoma County Department of Health Services uses to determine spread of the viruses.

The county’s hospitalization rates have been stable for COVID-19, with an average of 20 positive individuals being hospitalized per day from Nov. 19 to Dec. 18. Hospitalization rates increased slightly for flu and averaged nine to 10 per week during this period.

this year, COVID-19 peaked in January and March, which was seen in both wastewater surveillance and hospitalization rates. Flu hospitalizations peaked in early January and wastewater surveillance showed elevations in January, August, October and December. RSV detection in wastewater was present from January through March and after being detected again in October, it has been increasing.

“These viruses circulate year-round, but tend to peak in the fall and winter months,” said Dr. Tanya Phares, health officer for the county Department of Health Services. “Unfortunately, this is when we like to get together with our loved ones to celebrate the holidays.

“The good news is that you can prepare for this by getting vaccinated early in the season, which will help protect you and your loved ones against these viruses.”

Phares said seasonal flu and COVID-19 vaccines are recommended for everyone who is at least 6 months old. She said that the RSV vaccine is recommended for adults 60 years and older; those who have been pregnant for 32 to 36 weeks; infants younger than 8 months old; and infants and toddlers eight to 19 months old who have a high risk of severe RSV infection.

She said that when more people in a community are vaccinated, it is harder for a virus to spread.

“This helps to protect those who are most vulnerable and at risk for serious infection, such as older adults, pregnant women, very young children and people with weak immune systems,” Phares said.

Johnson hopes that RSV will decline once the vaccine for it is more widely available.

“Unfortunately, there are few doses available and what is available is very expensive, with pediatric doses costing about $450 a dose and adult doses being about $650,” she said.

Sankaran made several recommendations to avoid contracting the viruses.

“We recommend masking in public and in crowded places, isolating when ill, and receiving influenza, RSV and COVID-19 vaccinations if eligible,” she said.

Johnson also suggests that people get tested if they begin to experience symptoms. It’s the best way to ensure they have not contracted a virus.

“If people contract one of the viruses, they should stay home and use over-the-counter medications if symptoms are mild,” she said. “They should see a doctor if they have trouble breathing. If they have COVID, they should consider using medication and isolate.”

Sankaran added, “All patients should … receive supportive care at home. If you become short of breath, have high or persistent fevers or feel lightheaded or dizzy, contact emergency.”

Phares said she expects COVID-19 cases will continue over the next several years, but like flu cases, they will fluctuate seasonally.

“It’s important that we work together to limit the ability of the virus to spread or cause severe disease,” she said. “Keep in mind that the COVID-19 virus can change, and this allows it to be more effective at spreading. The updated vaccines will target new variants of the virus and slow the spread.

“Staying up to date with vaccinations not only protects you as an individual, but can prevent it from becoming widespread in the community. Since we have safe and effective vaccines available, we have the ability the send that trend downward.”

Reach the reporter, Dan Johnson, at daniel.johnson@sonomanews.com.