COVID-19 hospitalizations are rising again

For the week ending Nov. 11, there were 16,239 new COVID-19 hospital admissions in the United States, an 8.6% increase from the week before.

There was also an increase in COVID-19 deaths during this time. Compared to the week before, there was a 9.1% increase in COVID-19 deaths for the week ending Nov. 11. The absolute change in COVID-19 deaths from the week before was 0.2%.

Overall, 15 states reported a substantial increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations, and 12 states reported a moderate increase in hospitalizations for the week ending Nov. 11. 

Flu cases and hospitalizations are also growing

For the week ending Nov. 11, Louisiana reported very high flu activity, and six other states, including New Mexico, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, and Florida, reported high flu activity. An additional seven states reported moderate flu activity. 

According to CDC, there were 2,721 patients hospitalized for influenza for the week ending Nov. 11, with 9 out of 10 HHS regions reporting increases from the week before. In region 1, the number of flu hospitalizations remained stable compared to the week before.

During this time, the percentage of outpatient provider visits for influenza-like illnesses (ILI) was 3.5%, a slight increase compared to the week before and above the national baseline of 2.9%. ILI activity is currently trending upward for 9 out of 10 HHS regions. 

So far, CDC estimates that there have been at least 780,000 flu cases, 8,000 hospitalizations, and 490 deaths this flu season. No pediatric flu deaths have been reported.

RSV infections add to the viral burden this season

In addition to COVID-19 and the flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is also on the rise. With three viruses circulating, there will be more disruptions to schools, work, and holidays, and hospitals will likely experience more strain.

"There's a social burden to having emergency rooms fill up with coughing and sneezing people," said Kizzmekia Corbett-Helaire, an immunologist and infectious disease expert at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. "Adding another virus to that pool can make that worse."

According to CDC, hospitalizations from these respiratory viruses will likely be similar to last year, but they are still much higher than pre-pandemic levels. Jason Asher, who directs a CDC forecasting department, said that even a milder season with the three viruses would likely result in more hospitalizations than a severe season of flu and RSV alone.

"There's one more virus out there for you to get," said Justin Lessler, an infectious disease epidemiologist at the University of North Carolina. "Your risk of getting sick has probably gone up."

Should you get your COVID-19 and flu vaccines at the same time?

According to a new study presented at the annual Vaccines Summit in Boston, getting a COVID-19 vaccine and a flu shot at the same time may be better than getting them separately.  

The study followed two groups of healthcare workers in Massachusetts. In the first group, 12 healthcare workers received a bivalent COVID-19 vaccine and a seasonal flu shot at the same time. In the second group, 30 healthcare workers received the two vaccines on different days during the same month.

After measuring the antibodies of both groups, researchers found that the group that received the two shots at the same time had higher levels of immunoglobulin G1, or antibodies that protect against COVID-19 and a strain of influenza.

Amesh Adalja, a senior scholar the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, said the findings interesting. The higher antibodies in the first group are "possibly due to enhanced stimulation of the immune system by both vaccines being present at the same time," Adalja said. "The key thing is to see if this has any kind of meaningful clinical benefit – do the higher levels of antibody translate into more protection against infection or disease?"

Although the study has not yet been peer-reviewed, CDC also recommends "getting a flu vaccine and Covid-19 vaccine at the same visit." According to a CDC study, there are more side effects associated with getting both vaccines at the same time, but they are not as bad as only getting the COVID-19 vaccine.

RSV vaccines are also available, and health experts have recommended eligible individuals, which include infants and adults ages 60 and older, receive the vaccine as soon as possible. According to CDC, it is safe for patients to get the flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccines at the same time if they so wish. (Salam, The Guardian, 11/15; Choi, The Hill, 11/21; Abbott/Kamp, Wall Street Journal, 11/25; CDC COVID Data Tracker, accessed 11/27; CDC Weekly U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report, 11/17;  "What to Know About Getting Flu, COVID-19, and RSV Vaccines at the Same Time," CDC, 11/2)

Given the influx of respiratory diseases in the United States, health experts are advising caution. Here are five ways you can keep safe this holiday season.