DANVILLE, Va. (WFXR)—As the new year begins, so too do a period of surging cases of respiratory illnesses like the flu, COVID-19, and RSV.
Rising cases of those illnesses particularly in Central Virginia has led Sovah Health to impose more serious limitations on hospital visitation.
No one under the age of 13 is allowed to visit until the end of flu season, except in some specific circumstances.
“That becomes a safety issue both for them and our other patients and staff,” said Sovah Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Sheranda Gunn-Nolan. “At that age, lots of things get passed around. Lots of germs get passed around.
According to Sovah Health, those under 13 can still visit for medical appointments, emergency visits, and to visit an end-of-life patient.
Officials with the hospital are also asking anyone with flu-like symptoms to avoid visitation and to wear a mask if they have an appointment or need medical care.
Sovah Health has imposed similar seasonal restrictions in the past when contagious cases rise in the area.
“We take a look at the number of cases we have, not just within the hospital but within the community, and the severity of those patients that are coming in,” said Gunn-Nolan.
The hospital says the surge has not been bad, but has come at a sharper rate than in recent years.
“Previously it’s been drawn out through the year, this cold and flu season, but this year these winter months are hitting us as they did pre-COVID,” said Gunn-Nolan.
While any surge in cases should be taken seriously, health officials agree that it is not uncommon to see a rise in respiratory illnesses this time of year.
“Everybody’s gotten together during the holidays, kids have gone back to school,” said Gunn-Nolan. “We’re all in close quarters indoors, that’s why we see it so much during the winter months.”
According to the Virginia Department of Health, the southwestern region of the state is still in the moderate range of cases, but the central region has progressed into the “high” zone.
The Sovah hospital in Danville is very close to the border between those two regions.
As such, health officials have reiterated that it is not too late to get vaccinated against respiratory viruses.
They are also advising additional precautions during the peak season for these illnesses, even for those who have received the vaccines.
“Stay home when you’re sick, cough into your elbow, wash your hands a lot,” said Christie Wills, communications director of the Roanoke/Alleghany district for the Virginia Department of Health. “Increase that circulating air when you’re indoors. This cold weather has us inside so it’s good to get that fresh air cycling.”
During the peak season, it is also critical to look out for the demographics that are more vulnerable to these illnesses and who are more likely to experience more severe symptoms.
VDH says that individuals over 65 are the most at-risk groups for severe cases of COVID-19 while young children ages four and under are the most susceptible to get seriously sick from the flu.
Health officials ask that everyone be mindful of their own symptoms before going out in public.
“It may be casual for you to think you’re just running to the store with that running nose and that cough, but you may be costing someone a lot more than what you realize,” said Gunn-Nolan.