Tripledemic Hits St. Cloud, Emergency Rooms Nearly Filled

(KNSI) – St. Cloud Hospital’s emergency rooms are filled with people suffering from a tripledemic of respiratory illnesses.

CentraCare President of Performance Excellence, Dr. George Morris, says three viruses are causing a surge in sickness. “We still are seeing COVID. In fact, COVID cases both in our community and nationally are starting to go back up. We’re also seeing influenza have an earlier peak and we’ve seen Respiratory Syncytial Virus in the past, which typically happens late January or February. What’s happening now is all three of them are starting to rise at the same time.”

Officials say cases started to rise sharply after Thanksgiving and fear they will continue to increase through Christmas and New Year’s Day. Morris says there are some common sense things people can do to help stop the spread. “Practice these safe habits. Wash things you touch often, cover your cough, don’t go out if you’re ill, wear a mask if you’re sick or if you’re vulnerable or if you’re going to be around people that are vulnerable. And get a hold of us if you’re really not managing well at home.”

He says too many people are coming to the emergency room or urgent care with mild symptoms asking to be tested for COVID, the flu or RSV and are unnecessarily filling up the hospital and clinics. He says there is no need to test for which respiratory illness you have unless it would change treatment.

Morris also reminds people to get their yearly flu vaccine and COVID booster shot to prevent serious illness. There is no vaccine for RSV.

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