As new COVID variant spreads, Fort Worth could be hit by second wave of flu and RSV
After an aggressive early start to the flu and RSV seasons in North Texas, new cases of the seasonal illnesses have begun to decline, according to local physicians and hospital data.
But the reprieve comes as new cases of COVID-19 are starting to increase yet again, and hospitals are preparing for another surge in sick patients. Medical experts are sounding alarms over a new highly contagious variant of COVID-19.
“We are all very worried that as COVID cases start to increase, and if there is a second second wave of RSV and influenza, what is that going to do to our hospital systems?” said Dr. Laura Romano with the Cook Children’s Health System in Fort Worth.
Almost 92% of staffed beds in Dallas-Fort Worth hospitals were occupied as of Wednesday, according to state data, up from 89% the week before.. The number of patients admitted to local hospitals has been steadily increasing over the last week as COVID-19 continues its spread.
A second peak of flu, RSV could be on its way
Children’s hospitals across the nation were inundated with sick kids starting in September, when successive waves of respiratory syncytial virus, influenza and other respiratory illnesses sent hundreds of sick children to the hospital.
“Our ICUs have been full, our floors have been full, there have been days where we’ve had to board patients in the emergency room for 24 hours,” Romano said.
RSV cases began declining in November, and flu cases started slowing in December, freeing up some space in the hospital and giving health care workers in pediatric hospitals a little room to breathe.
“We peaked pretty quickly and now we’re on a slow, downward slope,” said Dr. Nikhil Bhayani, Texas Health Resources infectious disease physician advisor.
So far this flu season, there have been at least seven Texas children who have died from an influenza-related illness, according to the state health department.
Last week, one in every 15 medical visits was due to an influenza-like illness, down almost one in every ten visits in November, according to hospital data.
But, Romano cautioned, there could be a second peak of influenza and RSV cases before winter is over.
New variant of COVID-19 driving increase in hospitalizations
Now, more patients with COVID-19 are headed to local hospitals.
The new variant — named XBB.1.5 — could account up to 40% of all new COVID-19 cases, Bhayani said. Currently, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that the XBB.1.5 variant accounts for roughly one in every three COVID-19 cases that are sequenced. The XBB.1.5 variant is part of the Omicron lineage of variants. Since the original SARS-CoV-2 virus emerged in 2019, it has continued to mutate and evolve, as all viruses do. In summer 2021, Texas hospitals were inundated with patients who were sick with the Delta variant of the virus. Last winter, it was the original Omicron variant. And now, people are getting infected with the latest Omicron descendant, Romano said.
More COVID patients are starting to seek treatment again, Bhayani and Romano said, as unvaccinated or under-vaccinated patients get infected and get ill with COVID-19.
The bivalent COVID-19 booster offers the best protection against the new variant, doctors said, because it was specifically formulated to recognize and combat strains of the Omicron variant.
The bivalent booster is bivalent because it trains your immune system to recognize two viruses: Both the original virus from 202 and one type of the Omicron variant. Although XBB.1.5 variant is not identical to the original Omicron variant, they are similar and part of the same sub-type of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Where to get vaccines, other resources
To stay healthy for the rest of the winter, doctors recommend you get both the bivalent COVID-19 booster and your seasonal flu shot, if you have gotten them already. You should also take COVID-19 tests before you spend time with infants, people age 65 or older, or anyone who is immunocompromised. Epidemiologists also recommend wearing a high-quality surgical or medical mask if you have been exposed to COVID-19 or if you have a compromised immune system and are going to be in an enclosed space with poor ventilation.
- You can order COVID-19 tests to be shipped directly to your home online at covid.gov/tests. You can also call 1-800-232-0233 for help ordering tests.
- If you have health insurance, you can buy COVID-19 tests and then submit the cost to your health insurance plan for reimbursement.
- You can get the COVID-19 vaccine or the bivalent booster at most pharmacies or at your doctor’s office. You can find a list of vaccine clinics hosted by Tarrant County Public Health at VaxUpTC.com.
- If you have a health insurance plan that is compliant with the Affordable Care Act, a seasonal flu shot should be free with your plan and available at most pharmacies or at your doctor’s office. If you don’t have health insurance, you can go to one of dozens of local pharmacies in Tarrant County and get a flu shot for free. For a list of participating pharmacies, visit tarrantcounty.com/freefluvaccine.
This story was originally published January 6, 2023 at 12:33 PM.
