OREGON, USA — Peak respiratory virus season is here, and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than half of the country is dealing with "high levels" of infection, with local health officials urging people to get vaccinated against the flu, RSV and COVID-19.
"The numbers are starting to climb; we are in the middle of flu season. It takes about two weeks after you get that flu shot for it to ramp up your immunity and get you protected," said Dr. Richard Bruno, a health officer at the Multnomah County Health Department.
Bruno said this year's illnesses have started a little later than usual, including flu cases, which have been rising slowly over the past four to six weeks.
"Around this time last year, about 25% of flu tests were testing positive. Right now, it's about 12%, so we are seeing a little lag from what it was last year," he explained.
He added that “RSV season” has been active mid-November, and are now officially in “flu season” this week. Last week was the first week for flu season in the Portland metro area.
According to the CDC, 33 states are seeing "high" or "very high" levels of respiratory infections, including Washington, California and Idaho.
Though Oregon is currently seeing "low levels," that doesn't mean residents are in the clear, especially with COVID-19 infections, warned Bruno.
"It means that we could be at risk of seeing higher numbers," he said. "Across the state, there's an average of 20 Oregonians dying every week from COVID, so we really want to make sure people are protecting themselves and getting this year's COVID shot as well."
Bruno said Oregon is seeing about a 10% positivity rate for COVID-19 infections, as well as a 12% rate for RSV cases, similar to last year.
According to the Oregon Health Authority (OHA)'s vaccine dashboard, 25% of Oregonians have received last year’s COVID-19 vaccine, but this season, only around 14% have received the fall 2023 vaccine, with only 24% of those being 65 years and older.
Bruno said though the Multnomah County Health Department receives weekly updates on respiratory virus activity, those numbers do not reflect those who are ill and do not seek care or testing.
However, Bruno said that it's never too late to get vaccinated, despite being in the middle of the respiratory illness season.
"Add another seatbelt to protect yourself," he advised.
The OHA in December said that COVID-19 test positivity rates and hospitalizations were declining in the Portland metro area but forecasted steady COVID-19 rates in January.