COVID diagnoses are up 56 percent over the past two weeks with a corresponding 28 percent increase in hospitalizations.  Travel and family gatherings over Thanksgiving have apparently contributed to an increase in COVID incidence in 45 states. Christmas has yet to come.

There have been 26,000 laboratory-confirmed cases of influenza during the week ending December 3rd.  For the current season, there have been 13 million cases, 120,000 hospitalizations and 7,500 fatalities according to the CDC.

There appears to be a decline in the incidence rate of respiratory syncytial virus although pediatric wards of major hospitals are under pressure.  For the week ending December 3rd, hospitalizations attained 2.5 cases per 100,000 population.

Given the increase in influenza early in the season, vaccination is strongly suggested and in any event should be obligatory for those coming in to contact with poultry.  Booster vaccination against COVID is strongly recommended especially for seniors and those with predisposing respiratory conditions.