MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – Doctors are saying the rise of respiratory illness seen around the state of Michigan is not a cause for community wide concern.
Here is what medical experts say the “new normal” for infectious disease will be.
Last week OSF Healthcare in Escanaba set visitor restrictions in place due to a rising number of respiratory illness cases. The rules seem similar to pandemic era precautions but according to health officials the rise of illness is not out of the ordinary.
“That is something we expected to see, these are viruses that transmit in the cold winter months,” remarked Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, the Chief Medical Executive for the State of Michigan.
Before 2020 there were only two main respiratory virus’s influenza and RSV. Now with Covid 19, 3 major illnesses are spreading around.
“That means there are more people getting sick, more people in the hospital, on ventilators, in the ICUs, and there is more risk to the community,” added Dr. Bagdasarian.
The U.P. Health System says they have the staffing, capacity, and supplies to meet the current demand for patients, but experts at the hospital do not expect many cases moving forward will need hospitalization.
“There are some people who will have more severe cases and they will need to be hospitalized for treatment, but a majority of cases will not need to be hospitalized,” said Angelina Bonamico, an Infection Preventionist at the U.P. Health System.
According to an infection preventionist the time to seek professional medical care is if you experience difficult or painful breathing. Knowing your risk level for serious illness is also important.
“You have to use your best judgment if you are someone who has chronic illness,” added Bonamico.
The rise in illness we have seen recently will not be going away anytime soon but according to doctors medical systems are prepared.
“This is our new normal, I wont say this isn’t something to be concerned about but this is our new normal,” added Dr. Bagdasarian.
Doctors say you can stay healthy this winter by doing things such as washing your hands, avoiding sick people, eating a well balanced diet, and exercising.
For more resources on how to stay healthy this winter visit here.
