Rise in Respiratory Cases Across Massachusetts Forces ER restrictions
There’s a rise in respiratory illness cases across the State of Massachusetts. Included is Covid, RSV, and the Flu. For example, the percentage of emergency department visits related to acute respiratory diseases was just over 8 percent in early July 2023 and up to about 17 percent just before Christmas. In Worcester County it was just under 15 percent. Very young patients seem to be the most susceptible with a rate of over 500 visits to the ER per 100,00 for those 5 and under, with the next highest category being those 80 and over with just under 400 visits per 100,000 people. Here is the Massachusetts Respiratory Illness Dashboard, CLICK HERE
Locally, Heywood Hospital has placed restrictions on visitation in the Emergency Room due to the increase posting, “restricted to parents of pediatric patients (one parent at a time) and caregivers for adult populations (one caregiver) as well as those on comfort measures only. Facemasks are strongly recommended.”
For those needing Covid Test kits for future use, you can obtain them free. Here is the link to Covid.gov
