Dr. Philip Chan |
Consultant medical director, R.I. Department of Health
1. Should we expect another COVID-19 surge this winter? We may see an increase in COVID-19 cases in the coming weeks and months. It is difficult to tell. The good news is that treatment and vaccine – booster doses, in particular – are greatly decreasing the severity of illness for many people who do get COVID-19.
2. Cases of respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, have seemingly been surging all over the country. Are we seeing more cases in Rhode Island too? Yes, we are unfortunately seeing more RSV cases than usual in Rhode Island, and we are seeing them earlier than expected. Our typical peak for RSV happens in January. We are experiencing our peak now, and it’s roughly double what we see in a typical year.
3. We are hearing a lot about a “triple-demic” of COVID-19, RSV and flu. Are these multiple simultaneous outbreaks stretching hospital resources? The “triple-demic” is placing stress on an already strained health care system. We are working to support the hospitals. That includes looking at how we can get behavioral health patients treated in the most appropriate setting, doing everything we can to get new health care workers licensed as quickly as possible and launching a communications campaign to help Rhode Islanders know that not every health issue needs to be treated in the emergency department.
4. How can people best prepare themselves and their children to face multiple threats at once, especially as they gather over the holidays? People should take a few simple measures before the holidays and during the holidays to help themselves and their family members stay healthy and safe. Get your flu shot and COVID-19 booster; cough or sneeze into your elbow; wash your hands often with soap and water; clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces; stay home if you are sick; keep children home from day care or school who have a fever.
5. The R.I. Department of Health has recently organized new vaccination clinics against mpox, formerly known as monkeypox. How much does mpox remain a threat? Anyone can get [mpox], so people should be aware of the symptoms and how it spreads. Despite this, we have tended to see cases cluster in Rhode Island and nationally among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men. This has guided many of our community engagement efforts, and it has guided our vaccination strategy. We have organized more than 30 community clinics, and several health centers in Rhode Island are vaccinating people.
