"Texas Battles Surge in Respiratory and Infectious Diseases, Including Flu and COVID-19"

North Texas is experiencing a surge in respiratory illnesses, with rising cases of COVID-19, flu, and RSV. Children's Health in Dallas reported a significant number of flu cases during Christmas week, and COVID hospitalizations have also increased. Health officials attribute the spike to school breaks and lower flu vaccination rates among children. The DFW Hospital Council President emphasized the importance of vaccinations and preventative measures like hand washing and mask-wearing in high-risk situations. The CDC has identified the JN.1 variant as the most common COVID strain in the U.S., with symptoms similar to previous strains.