WHAT’S GOING AROUND: Doctors seeing respiratory illnesses, flu and COVID-19

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Here is a roundup of the illnesses doctors say are spreading around Mid-Missouri.

MU Health Care

Dr. Laura Morris with MU Health Care says since the holidays doctors have seen an uptick in patients coming in with respiratory illnesses.

Morris says they have seen an increase in patients coming in with the flu, COVID-19 and some cases of RSV.

She says some patients are coming into MU Health clinics and urgent cares, while some are going to the emergency room for treatment.

Patients, Morris says, are being hospitalized for these viruses and doctors are expecting hospitalizations to rise.

Boone Health Columbia

Dr. Robin Blount with Boone Health says they are also seeing an increase in respiratory illnesses, which are causing patients to be hospitalized.

She says many patients are in respiratory isolation and 95% of those are due to respiratory viruses.

Blount says those viruses include, COVID-19, RSV, influenza type A and B and rhinovirus.

Health experts say the best way to protect yourself as they expect to see a rise in cases of respiratory illnesses is to get updated vaccines.