Maryland hospitals are experiencing increasing strain as a “quad-demic” of COVID-19, influenza, RSV, and norovirus leads to a rise in emergency room visits. Public health officials warn that the combination of these highly contagious illnesses is putting pressure on healthcare facilities across the state, with flu-related deaths already reported.
According to the latest data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, respiratory viruses are at high or very high levels across most of the country. Wastewater surveillance has detected significant activity for influenza A and moderate levels of RSV. While COVID-19 transmission remains low, the addition of norovirus—a highly infectious stomach bug—creates an additional burden on hospitals and urgent care centers.
Maryland health officials report that influenza is currently the most widespread virus in the state, with 1,695 flu-related hospital visits as of mid-January. Six adult deaths and one pediatric death have been attributed to the virus. RSV cases remain high as well, with 168 hospital visits recorded during the second week of January.
COVID-19 continues to circulate, though hospitalization rates remain low, with fewer than 10 cases per 100,000 patients. One COVID-19-related death was confirmed during the final week of January. Maryland does not officially track norovirus cases, but national reports indicate that outbreaks are at or above last season’s peak nationwide.
Dr. James Campbell, an infectious disease pediatrician at the University of Maryland Children’s Hospital, explained that norovirus, while not typically life-threatening, can cause severe vomiting and diarrhea.
“It tends to come mostly in the winter. It’s primarily because—probably—people are in closed spaces, so they have more contact with each other,” Campbell told WMAR.
Public health officials advise Marylanders to take precautions to avoid illness, including getting vaccinated against the flu and COVID-19, practicing frequent handwashing, and staying home when sick. The CDC’s latest predictions suggest that while COVID-19 emergency department visits will remain lower than previous winters, flu-related hospitalizations are expected to rise in the coming weeks.
