What's going around seasonal trends - Winter and Spring

COVID-19, flu, and RSV are respiratory illnesses that cause hospitalizations in Mesa County every year. We typically see the most activity from October through March.

Local trends

What we saw locally last respiratory illness season (October 2022 – March 2023).

• COVID-19 hospitalizations were lower than the previous year.
• Flu hospitalizations were higher than they have been in the past five years.
• RSV hospitalizations were unusually high and early in the season. Pediatric hospitalizations were also high.

We track hospitalizations because it shows the severity of the illness in our community.

Prevention tips

Reduce the spread of contagious respiratory viruses by:

• Stay home when you are sick.
• Wash your hands frequently.
• Disinfect surfaces you frequently touch at home and work – like door knobs and light switches.
• Stay up to date on vaccines.

COVID-19 is a contagious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Most people infected with the virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness. However, some will become seriously ill and require medical attention. Older people and those with underlying medical conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, or cancer are more likely to develop serious illness.

Flu, sometimes called influenza, is a contagious respiratory disease caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and lungs.

Some people, such as people 65 years and older, young children, and people with certain health conditions, are at higher risk of serious flu complications.

RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms.

Infants and older adults are more likely to develop severe RSV and need hospitalization.

Mesa County Public Health is responsible for keeping our community informed of relevant and timely health data and accurate prevention behaviors.

Read more about our process in our latest report.

Reporting Health Data in Mesa County, 09/2023.pdf

Our expert epidemiology team is here to support you.

Call the Disease Reporting and Consultation Line 970-254-4120.

View the Medical Provider resource page. 

Review the current list of reportable conditions.pdf