Long Island hospitals are preparing for a significant increase in hospitalizations due to a phenomenon referred to as a “tripledemic.” Medical professionals at Northwell Health report a concerning rise in three major respiratory viruses: flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and COVID-19. Current data from the New York State Department of Health indicates that flu cases have surged by 30%, RSV has increased by 35%, and COVID-19 cases are up 15%.
Dr. Dwayne Breining, senior vice president of lab services at Northwell Health, noted that the flu is spreading much more rapidly this year compared to last, with increases in cases seen at a staggering rate of up to 300%. Hospitalization rates are also alarming, with flu-related admissions rising by 75%. Cohen Children’s Medical Center in particular has reached over capacity, prompting heightened concern among healthcare professionals.
“Monitoring this trend is crucial,” Dr. Breining remarked, adding that this could indicate either that the current flu strain is more severe or that vaccination rates are lower than necessary.
One notable case is that of Zunaira Ahmed, an 11-year-old girl from Queens Village, who has been bedridden for six days due to the flu. “I feel like somebody is banging on my head and my tummy also hurts. I feel like resting all the time,” she shared. Zunaira did not receive the flu vaccine this year as her family recently relocated to New York and were unaware of the vaccination recommendations.
Despite the circulating flu strain not being a perfect match for the vaccine, Dr. Bruce Farber, Northwell Health’s chief public health and epidemiology officer, advocates for vaccination. He emphasized that while the effectiveness may not be ideal, the vaccine remains a powerful tool in preventing severe illness, hospitalizations, and fatalities.
Doctors are advising that it is still not too late to receive a flu shot, as they anticipate the flu season could extend until March. This guidance is critical as healthcare facilities brace for the winter months, striving to manage the influx of patients during this challenging period.
As the medical community rallies to address this “tripledemic,” there remains hope that increased awareness and vaccination efforts can mitigate the impact on public health.