WEEKLY UPDATE: 10/24/24
The Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) is urging individuals to get influenza (flu), COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines.
DPH Commissioner Manisha Juthani, MD, on October 16 confirmed the first two deaths of state residents caused by influenza for the 2024-2025 respiratory viral disease season. Juthani said an adult more than 90 years old died in September and an infant died in October.
“This is a tragic reminder that the 2024-25 respiratory viral disease season is here. As we approach the holiday season and people spend more time indoors, I strongly encourage all Connecticut residents to make sure they are up to date on their seasonal vaccines, particularly older individuals and those with multiple medical conditions,” Juthani stated in a press release.
DPH has launched its respiratory viral disease surveillance webpage, which includes a dashboard documenting the season’s case counts, vaccination rates, emergency department visits, and hospitalizations. The data are scheduled to be updated every Friday through early spring.
COVID-19 case counts, hospitalizations, and deaths in Connecticut continue to vastly outnumber flu and RSV trends. Officials stress the updated COVID-19 vaccine targets variants and prevents transmission of the virus. Juthani cited 88% of people hospitalized last season did not receive their updated COVID-19 vaccination, and individuals 60 years and older account for most of the state’s COVID-19-associated deaths. The federal government is again offering four free COVID-19 self-tests per household through covidtests.gov.
“Now that we have a way to deal with COVID doesn’t mean that COVID has gone away. It’s still out there. It’s still infecting people, but we can keep you out of the hospital. We can keep you safe,” Gov. Ned Lamont said during a recent press conference.
This week, October 20-26, also marks Respiratory Care Week. The annual observance is an opportunity for Connecticut hospitals and health systems to celebrate the respiratory therapists who play a vital role in patient care, especially as rates of respiratory illness surge in communities. As essential members of their healthcare teams, these lung health specialists serve on the frontlines of hospitals — from treating viruses like flu, RSV, and COVID-19, to managing chronic conditions like asthma, COPD, and lung cancer.
