An increase in illness cases is leading to longer wait times at emergency departments in the Twin Cities. It’s called a “quad-demic” that’s hitting communities across the country.
Minnesota hospitals are experiencing “unprecedented visits” due to an increase in illnesses, including influenza, RSV, COVID-19 and norovirus, according to the Minnesota Hospital Association. The group said in a statement that the illnesses are “putting intense pressure on hospital intensive care units, medical units and emergency departments across the state.”
“Minnesota’s hospitals and health systems work together to coordinate the best care for Minnesotans when they need us,” said Dr. Rahul Koranne, MHA President and CEO. “We know this increase is frustrating and stressful for patients and their families, and we ask for understanding as our healthcare teams work around the clock to meet these demands. Our top priority remains providing safe, high-quality care to everyone who walks through our doors.
Cases began increasing between late last week and early this week, according to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH).
“There really has been a remarkable increase in cases,” said Melissa McMahon, flu surveillance supervisor for MDH.
The latest wastewater data shows COVID cases statewide are up about 50% over the past week and more than 90% from two weeks ago.
The number of people infected with the flu has also increased, with 722 hospitalizations reported last week.
“It’s a record,” McMahon said of the flu hospitalization data. “That’s more than we’ve seen in a week every year since we started monitoring, which was in 2008.”
Allina Health has confirmed that it is experiencing an increase in patients due to all four illnesses, which has resulted in longer than usual wait times at its urgent care centers, primary care clinics and its emergency services.
M Health Fairview is also seeing longer wait times in its emergency departments due to “very high volumes of viral illnesses.”
“A combination of RSV, flu, COVID and norovirus,” said Dr. John Houghland, medical director of the emergency department at M Health Fairview Ridges Hospital. “Registrations which are approximately 30% higher than last year at this time. »
He explained that his team triages patients based on their severity.
“In the metro area and nationally, more and more patients are being seen in alternative care spaces, where you’re essentially seen by a doctor but you don’t necessarily go to a room,” Houghland explained . “Due to overcrowding and record flu admissions, our emergency departments are becoming crowded and there are fewer spaces in the main wards to be seen, so these are usually reserved for heart attacks, accidents cerebrovascular diseases, sepsis, patients too weak to stand or suffering from serious trauma.
Children under the age of two are at the highest risk of being hospitalized from RSV, while COVID affects older adults more severely, Houghland said. The flu poses the highest risk to both young children and the elderly.
He urges Minnesotans who have not received this season’s flu or COVID vaccines to do so.
“Norovirus is not biased against anyone in particular, and it typically manifests over several days of fever, body aches, vomiting and diarrhea,” Houghland said, and encouraged basic precautions including washing hands to prevent the spread of the disease. “Particularly for norovirus, washing with soap and water is protective while hand sanitizer may not be as effective.”
McMahon said it was still too early to know if this was the seasonal peak.
“I will say that the spread of any disease will be more likely to decrease more quickly if people do things like stay home if they have gotten sick and wash their hands thoroughly and often,” she said.
The Minnesota Hospital Association encourages these measures to mitigate the spread of seasonal illnesses:
- Stay home if you or your family are sick.
- Wash your hands often.
- Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or shirt sleeve, not your hands.
- Clean frequently touched surfaces, such as door handles and mobile devices.
- Avoid close contact with sick people.
- Hide when appropriate.
- Stay up to date on vaccinations.
- Consider urgent care, a primary care provider, or telehealth options for non-urgent care.
- Have a primary care provider for your entire family and stay connected and informed about preventative care so the primary care team can partner with you on all health concerns.
