Health officials say COVID is surging right as North Carolina school year starts

As school districts begin to bring students back into classrooms, health officials are encouraging parents to prepare for fall respiratory viruses, particularly COVID-19.

Mecklenburg County Public Health says there’s an ongoing surge in COVID-19, including higher emergency department visits for the coronavirus, more hospitalizations and evidence of the virus that causes COVID-19 in wastewater that have all been increasing since early July.

Raynard Washington, Mecklenburg County’s public health director, told The Charlotte Observer Thursday it’s critical that everyone remain cautious with the current summer surge of COVID-19.

“Staff and students who are experiencing symptoms of a respiratory virus, like fever, fatigue, coughing, and congestion, should stay home until they are feeling better,” Washington said.

Washington last week in a news release said if anyone has the onset of what “you think is a summer cold, get tested, and do not ignore those symptoms.”

CMS and most districts in North Carolina start school Aug. 28.

As of Aug. 10, the COVID-19 hospital admission level in Mecklenburg County was low, but hospital admission levels across the state for COVID increased from the previous week, according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services dashboard, updated Wednesday.

The surge has not been caused by a new variant, but the Omicron variant that caused a surge in January and still accounts for the majority of cases in North Carolina, according to the county health department.

Health leaders say waning immunity, travel and more time indoors due to above-average high temperatures are likely causing the surge.

Two other viruses spreading

State health officials say the flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are two other seasonal viruses that cause respiratory infections and can also cause severe illness or even death, particularly in older adults, young children and those with underlying medical issues.

COVID-19, flu and RSV were all spreading widely at the same time last fall — and could be possible this fall.

“COVID-19 is still with us and we expect it to continue to be with us,” said Elizabeth Cuervo Tilson, state health director and NCDHHS chief medical officer in a news release. “Fortunately, we have the tools for people to protect themselves and each other, including access to vaccines, testing and treatment to help manage COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases.”

Last week, 4.7% of emergency room visits across the state had systems of a respiratory virus, an increase from 4.3% from the prior week, according to the state health department dashboard. Hospital admissions for COVID-19 also climbed from the previous week, from 267 to 339 statewide.

Health officials say vaccines are the best way to protect against COVID-19 and flu. This year, for the first time, there is an RSV vaccine to protect people 60 years and older. There is also a new medication available to prevent RSV infection in infants.

Washington says anyone who tests positive should isolate for five days and then wear an effective mask for another five days when coming out of isolation, even when returning to work or school.

Test, mask, wash hands

Wake County Public Schools, which starts classes Aug. 28, like most districts, encourages parents to follow best practice and keep children home when they’re sick to help stop the spread of illness to others. Mecklenburg County encourages those who don’t want to get sick to avoid crowds indoors, wear a mask when close to others, and wash your hands with soap and water frequently. If you feel sick, stay away from others, take an at-home test, and get treatment.

Health officials also recommend testing at home for those feeling sick and washing hands with soap and water more than usual, covering your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze and cleaning surfaces often.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools spokesperson Susan Vernon-Devlin told the Observer the district still has its COVID-19/similar communicable diseases page on its site where parents can find information on what the district does to maintain the spread of COVID, among other questions.

“With the CDC declaring the pandemic over, we can only hope that people will continue to practice safe hygiene protocols to ensure their and their family’s good health,” Vernon-Devlin said.