"Respiratory Illnesses Surge Post-Holidays, Prompting Mask Mandates and Concerns"

In the St. Louis area, there is an uptick in COVID-19 and flu cases, but hospital officials are not overly concerned, viewing the situation as a return to pre-pandemic normalcy. Despite the increase in respiratory virus cases, including RSV, rhinovirus, and enterovirus, the impact on healthcare systems is less severe than in previous years, largely due to vaccinations and prior exposure to the virus. Hospitals are busy, but wait times are typical for the season. New immunizations against RSV for infants and vaccines for pregnant women are now more available, potentially mitigating the spread. Public awareness and preventative measures learned during the pandemic are also contributing to better management of the spread of respiratory illnesses.