Key Takeaways
- COVID-19 metrics suggest continued growth in Virginia. ED diagnoses, wastewater levels, and hospitalizations are all up. Flu hospitalizations are also up in Virginia. CDC forecasts suggest hospitalizations for flu will continue to grow, while COVID-19 hospitalizations level off.
- The CDC expects this year’s respiratory illness season will be similar to last year’s. Hospital burden will depend on the timing of the RSV, flu, and COVID-19 peaks. Though local surges are possible, the CDC does not anticipate a major national surge like the Omicron Wave of 2021.
- The JN.1 (BA.2.86) subvariant is continuing to grow in the U.S.
- It is not too late to get a flu vaccine or the 2023-24 COVID-19 vaccine.
- New reports from COP28 outline the danger that climate change poses to human health if left unabated.
- China and Europe continue to report new cases of pneumonia caused by the pathogen Mycoplasma pneumoniae.
VDH OEP Weekly Situation Update.
This page updates weekly on Friday by 5:00 PM.
The VDH OEP Weekly Situation Update is produced by the VDH Office of Emergency Preparedness. This update covers ongoing or potential public health and emergency preparedness issues, including COVID-19. This product is intended to enhance situational awareness among the public health, healthcare, and emergency management communities. Some items covered may pose little or no threat to the public at large. These items are included for situational awareness only and do not represent an endorsement of the source or information therein.