AVON, Ohio — We've seen it for weeks: Coughing, sneezing and overall feeling bad.
Cases of COVID, RSV and now, the flu.
"Influenza, and influenza A in particular has definitely started to surge in our community," said Cleveland Clinic Avon Hospital President, Dr. Rebecca Starck.
While there's been a small increase in COVID cases recently, there's not been an uptick in people getting really sick.
"It's not resulting in a significantly increased hospitalization rate," Starck said.
However, when it comes to the flu? That's a different story.
"Last week our positivity rate for patients who come to get screened for these infections -- the positivity rate for influenza was about 30%," Starck said.
It's been said many, many times before, but wearing masks isn't just about COVID anymore. It's about preventing others from catching germs.
"Masking is ok. It can be part of the norm. If you don't feel well, if you're coughing, please wear a mask to protect the people around you," Starck told us.
Not vaccinated yet? Starck says, it's not too late. And, one size doesn't fit all when it comes to vaccines. You have to get different vaccines for different illnesses.
The flu vaccine has seen good results.
"The vaccines that were developed at the end of last year were to try to catch what the strain would be this year. And, we believe that the vaccine is actually very effective," Starck said.
There's no guaranteed way to prevent getting sick. However, there are tried and true ways to soften the blow.
"I'm a firm believer in healthy diet and exercise and, you know, if you don't feel that you're getting that healthy diet, perhaps increase your nutrition status by taking a multivitamin, zinc, vitamin C can be helpful," Dr. Starck said.
This week, the Ohio Department of Health is reporting 16,061 new cases of COVID-19 this week.
That's right around the same from last week's cases. As far as hospitalizations, they're about the same. And, ICU admissions are trending downwards.
To read more about the COVID-19 numbers, click here.
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