Health officials on high alert with ‘tripledemic’

Oklahoma’s “tripledemic” of COVID- 19, flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases continues to have health officials on high alert, especially as the holiday season increases opportunities for transmitting the highly infectious diseases.

While Sequoyah County and eastern Oklahoma are currently listed as being at low risk for COVID-19, the state’s seven-day rolling average for the number of new cases reported hovers around 600.

But according to CDC data, the state is in the very high category for the flu, as are surrounding states.

“The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) has seen respiratory season start to ramp up in the state, especially in the last month with influenza,” says Erica Rankin-Riley, spokesperson for the Oklahoma State Department of Health.

“As we approach the holidays, we know that people will be gathering with family and friends, so this is a good time to remind Oklahomans there are mitigation measures they can incorporate into their everyday lives to protect themselves and minimize the risk of spreading some of these respiratory diseases.

“We would encourage people to practice good hand hygiene, staying home when they are sick or not feeling well and wear a mask, if they choose to. Individuals can also practice good respiratory hygiene by using tissues to cover coughs and sneezes, then disposing of them and performing good hand hygiene, immediately. If tissues aren’t available, individuals can use their sleeve to cough or sneeze into,” Rankin-Riley advises.

“It is also not too late to get vaccinated. We recommend individuals stay up to date on vaccinations. We know that is one of the best ways to prevent severe disease and hospitalization from some of these respiratory diseases.”

Meanwhile, Dr. Dale Bratzler, chief COVID officer at the University of Oklahoma, says that while the state has seen a spike in COVID-19, flu and RSV cases as well as hospitalizations since Thanksgiving, the number of cases has not peaked in the state.

“I think it’s just a matter of time before we see even more cases of influenza in Oklahoma,” Bratzler says. He also warns that “nationally, we’re at the highest level of COVID hospitalizations that we’ve been now for a number of weeks.”

In statistics released in the state’s most recent weekly epidemiological report, Oklahoma accounts for 30,983 per 100,000 persons of cumulative incidence of reported COVID-19 cases. For the same comparison, Arkansas reports 32,224 per 100,000 persons and Kansas reports 31,783 per 100,000 persons. Texas and Missouri report fewer cumulative incidence than Oklahoma.

Meanwhile, the past week’s reporting shows Oklahoma ranks first in the nation in cumulative death rate of reported COVID-19 cases at 7.1 per 100,000, a rate almost three times greater than next highest state at 2.4 per 100,000 persons.

Bratzler says the state is also seeing multiple variants, and four of them are new.

“The new variants that are out there, you can still get infected, even if you’ve had previous infection with COVID or some of the old vaccine doses without the new booster,” he said.

Bratzler said three of the variants account for almost 70% of new cases since Thanksgiving.

“We are struggling now a bit more with what our treatment options are for COVID-19. So I’m strongly recommending people get at least one dose of the new COVID booster,” Bratzler said.

In Tulsa County, the flu virus is causing the most illness, according to Dr. Bruce Dart of the Tulsa County Health Department. Records also indicate people age 65 and older account for almost half of all flu hospitalizations in the county.

While COVID and flu are spreading among mostly adults, RSV is prevalent in elementary schools.

Health officials recommend Oklahomans wear masks if the community risk level is high, residents have recently been exposed to or infected with COVID, or residents have been told by a health professional to wear a mask based on personal risk factors.

Mildly ill patients are encouraged to stay home and contact their healthcare provider by phone for guidance about clinical management. Patients who have severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, should seek care immediately. Older patients and individuals who have underlying medical conditions or are immunocompromised should contact their physician early in the course of even mild illness. Provide patient with routine home care instructions for mild viral respiratory illness. Healthcare workers are encouraged to follow recommended infection control procedures.

For all COVID-19 community levels, residents may choose to mask at any time. Masks are recommended in indoor public transportation settings and may be required in other places by local or state authorities.

For medium or high community levels, those who are at high risk for getting very sick are encouraged to wear a high-quality mask or respirator. Those who have household or social contact with someone at high risk for getting very sick should consider selftesting to detect infection before contact and consider wearing a mask when indoors with them.

For high community level, health officials recommend wearing a highquality mask or respirator. Residents at high risk for getting very sick are encouraged to avoid nonessential indoor activities in public where they could be exposed.

Officials continue to stress the importance of testing for those who experience symptoms or have been recently exposed to COVID. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Test to Treat initiative provides high-risk individuals who test positive with immediate access to antivirals at certified locations.