Welcome to the triple-whammy winter of woe: Cases of influenza (flu), norovirus and COVID-19 are all on the upswing in Brooklyn and across the city, according to the city and state Health Departments.
As is typical for this time of year, cases of influenza have increased dramatically. According to the NYS Health Department database, there were more than 4,000 cases of the flu reported in Brooklyn alone as of Jan. 4, with most cases being type A.
The city’s own database is a week behind the state’s, with numbers out (on Friday) for the week ending Dec. 28, 2024, but the data shows the trend: the city measured a 42% increase in positive tests for influenza during the last week in December compared to previous week. About 10% of all hospital ER visits were connected to flu-like illnesses, and outbreaks were reported in nine long-term care facilities.
As if the flu isn’t enough to contend with, norovirus, aka “stomach flu” or more colorfully, “both ends flu,” is highly contagious and is spreading rapidly, the city’s Health Department warns.
Cases of influenza in NYC have increased dramatically over the past few weeks. Chart: NYCDOH
Between October to December 2024, more than 2,300 norovirus infections were diagnosed among NYC residents, compared with roughly 1,000 infections during this time in 2023, the agency says.
Many norovirus cases are not reported to the Health Department, so the incidence is likely higher. “I had it after Christmas,” a resident of Brooklyn Heights told the Brooklyn Eagle. “I stayed home for five days because I didn’t want to give it to anybody.” She said she thinks she caught it while on a tour of a museum in Manhattan.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, norovirus is the leading cause of vomiting, diarrhea and food-borne illness in the United States.
ZIP codes with the highest number of COVID-19 cases reported to NYC DOH last week. Brooklyn neighborhoods are highlighted in red. Chart: NYCDOH
COVID-19 cases trending up in Brooklyn
Don’t forget about COVID-19 — cases have slowly trended up across New York City over the past two months, with several neighborhoods in Brooklyn landing at the top of the NYC Health Department’s tracking database.
The ZIP code with the highest number of COVID-19 cases reported to NYC DOH over the week ending Jan. 6 was 11224, representing Brighton Beach, Coney Island and Seagate.
Other Brooklyn areas in the top 15 include ZIP codes 11222 (Greenpoint), 11223 (Gravesend/Homecrest), 11217-11243 (Boerum Hill/Park Slope), 11237 and (Bushwick/East Williamsburg).
Citywide, an average of 315 COVID-19 cases per day were reported to NYC DOH over the week ending Jan. 6, with 81 of these cases originating in Brooklyn, 57 in the Bronx, 44 in Manhattan, 97 in Queens, and 37 on Staten Island.
There is a bit of good news, however. Another respiratory illness that has been going around — respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV — seems to have peaked, according to the city Health Department.
Is there any way to stay healthy?
Other than hiding in a bunker all winter, there are some steps you can take to increase your odds of staying healthy.
The viruses that cause flu and COVID-19 are most commonly spread through respiratory droplets or aerosols in the air, but can also spread via surfaces. The virus that causes norovirus infection, however, spreads through contaminated food, via contact with someone who already has the infection, or by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching your mouth. Another frequent cause of norovirus is the consumption of raw oysters and other filter-feeding shellfish.
So handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is the first line of defense, followed by keeping your hands away from your face, disinfecting surfaces with bleach, and avoiding raw shellfish. Try to keep alert to warnings regarding contaminated foods. Wearing a mask can help lower the risk of respiratory virus transmission, especially a well-fitting mask.
Why wash your hands with soap as opposed to slathering on hand sanitizer? Alcohol-based hand sanitizers offer some protection against COVID-19, but are less effective against the virus that causes flu, and are totally ineffective against norovirus, because alcohol can’t penetrate the protein shell of the virus, according to Infection Control Today.
Cases of RSV in the city seem to have peaked. Chart: NYCDOH
Medications can lessen the severity of flu and COVID-19 symptoms if taken soon after infection, so consider a visit to your doctor or clinic, especially if you fall into a high-risk category that includes seniors, children and those with any number of health conditions.
However, there is no medication that will help with norovirus. Once you get sick, stay home and rest until you recover. Dehydration is a serious and even deadly side effect of norovirus, so drink plenty of liquids. Most people get better within three days, but can still spread the virus for days afterwards, so keep up the handwashing.
Since some of the symptoms of flu and COVID-19 overlap, consider testing to pinpoint exactly what ails you. All U.S. households may order up to four COVID-19 test kits at no charge, through the U.S. government’s test ordering program at covidtests.gov (or call 1-800-232-0233).
Don’t throw out your “expired” tests, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration says. Some brands have extended expiration dates, which are listed online.
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