In time for the holidays: respiratory illness season arrives in region
Flu, COVID-19 cases above established thresholds, says Grant County Health District.
Posted
MOSES LAKE — More people are seeking medical care for respiratory illnesses, emergency department visits are on the rise, and several flu outbreaks have been reported recently in healthcare settings across the region.
With all that, the 2026-27 respiratory illness season has arrived, county health officer Dr. Alexander Brzezny announced in a press release issued Friday by the Grant County Health District.
Brzezny advised healthcare facilities to begin implementing enhanced measures to reduce the spread of infectious viruses, to include patient and staff screening and use of face masks depending on a facility’s “situation and policies.”
He also encouraged individuals to take “extra steps” to keep themselves and others safe as the winter months and holiday season arrive with people spending more time gathered indoors.
“Practice good hand hygiene, stay home when you are sick, and talk to your doctor about COVID-19, flu and RSV vaccines,” said Brzezny.
To date, 22 flu-related deaths have been reported in Washington state, but none in Grant County. However, the health district has already responded to a flu outbreak in a local long-term care facility, officials said.
Other indicators of virus activity include:
— Flu-related visits to emergency departments which rose above established thresholds during the last two weeks of October and continue to rise;
— Emergency visits related to COVID-19 that were near or above established thresholds in September, coupled with the latest data showing “very high” levels of coronavirus in area wastewater sampling;
— Respiratory syncytial virus activity that remains low locally, but has seen some related emergency-department visits. RSV is also a contagious virus which typically causes milder cold-like symptoms in healthy people, but can lead to pneumonia and bronchiolitis in vulnerable groups such as young infants and older adults, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Influenza, COVID-19, and RSV are all caused by different viruses but spread in similar ways, have similar symptoms, and have seasonal vaccines available which can reduce the risk of infection or more-serious illness.
Following Washington State Department of Health 2026 adult and childhood immunization schedules, the local health district recommends everyone 6 months and older get flu and COVID-19 vaccinations and all eligible people receive the RSV vaccine.
People who do become ill or test positive for any of the viruses should stay home for at least 24 hours after their symptoms improve overall and they no longer have a fever. Similarly, persons in healthcare should stay home for at least three days before returning to work.
Antiviral medications to fight flu and COVID-19 infections can be prescribed by a doctor. It is very important to start treatment with those drugs as soon as possible for persons at higher risk of serious complications or very sick with the flu.
Local updates can be view on GCHD’s website and the district’s Facebook page.
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In time for the holidays: respiratory illness season arrives in region
Flu, COVID-19 cases above established thresholds, says Grant County Health District.
MOSES LAKE — More people are seeking medical care for respiratory illnesses, emergency department visits are on the rise, and several flu outbreaks have been reported recently in healthcare settings across the region.
With all that, the 2026-27 respiratory illness season has arrived, county health officer Dr. Alexander Brzezny announced in a press release issued Friday by the Grant County Health District.
Brzezny advised healthcare facilities to begin implementing enhanced measures to reduce the spread of infectious viruses, to include patient and staff screening and use of face masks depending on a facility’s “situation and policies.”
He also encouraged individuals to take “extra steps” to keep themselves and others safe as the winter months and holiday season arrive with people spending more time gathered indoors.
“Practice good hand hygiene, stay home when you are sick, and talk to your doctor about COVID-19, flu and RSV vaccines,” said Brzezny.
To date, 22 flu-related deaths have been reported in Washington state, but none in Grant County. However, the health district has already responded to a flu outbreak in a local long-term care facility, officials said.
Other indicators of virus activity include:
— Flu-related visits to emergency departments which rose above established thresholds during the last two weeks of October and continue to rise;
— Emergency visits related to COVID-19 that were near or above established thresholds in September, coupled with the latest data showing “very high” levels of coronavirus in area wastewater sampling;
— Respiratory syncytial virus activity that remains low locally, but has seen some related emergency-department visits. RSV is also a contagious virus which typically causes milder cold-like symptoms in healthy people, but can lead to pneumonia and bronchiolitis in vulnerable groups such as young infants and older adults, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Influenza, COVID-19, and RSV are all caused by different viruses but spread in similar ways, have similar symptoms, and have seasonal vaccines available which can reduce the risk of infection or more-serious illness.
Following Washington State Department of Health 2026 adult and childhood immunization schedules, the local health district recommends everyone 6 months and older get flu and COVID-19 vaccinations and all eligible people receive the RSV vaccine.
People who do become ill or test positive for any of the viruses should stay home for at least 24 hours after their symptoms improve overall and they no longer have a fever. Similarly, persons in healthcare should stay home for at least three days before returning to work.
Antiviral medications to fight flu and COVID-19 infections can be prescribed by a doctor. It is very important to start treatment with those drugs as soon as possible for persons at higher risk of serious complications or very sick with the flu.
Local updates can be view on GCHD’s website and the district’s Facebook page.