WAUSAU, Wis. – A spike in respiratory illnesses is straining capacity at health care facilities locally and nationally.

Cases of COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza are on the rise following the Thanksgiving holiday. This is driving increased traffic and longer wait times across emergency departments, inpatient and outpatient settings at Aspirus and hospitals nationwide.

Some of Aspirus’ walk-in clinics are reporting that 70 percent of patients are currently presenting with symptoms of respiratory illness.

“We are starting to get very full across our hospitals and our clinics are seeing a lot of people,” said Jeff Wicklander, Aspirus SVP and President of the Aspirus Central Region. “This is a national issue. We’re seeing the same issues with COVID-19, RSV and flu like the rest of the country.”

Thirty-five states and regions are reporting either “high” or “very high” activity of influenza-like illnesses, according to CDC’s Weekly U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report, as flu cases continue to surge throughout the country.

“It appears that we’re going to be in for a very tricky winter season as we go through influenza,” Wicklander said. “We haven’t seen volumes this high for all three viruses for the past couple of years, so please be cognizant of that and if you’re not feeling well, please isolate.”

Members of the community can help their local health care facilities by using the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Understand whether you should contact your primary care provider or go to a walk-in clinic or the Emergency Department. (Many health concerns can be addressed by your PCP. Consider contacting your clinic for appointment options.)

• Utilize virtual options such as MyAspirus video visits and e-visits.

• Get vaccinated for both flu and COVID-19 if you’re eligible.

• Continue to practice safety measures including hand hygiene, masking, and social distancing as appropriate.

• Stay home and away from others if you or your children are not feeling well.

About Aspirus Health Aspirus Health is a non-profit, community- directed health system based in Wausau, Wisconsin. Its 11,000 employees are focused on improving the health and well-being of people throughout Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. Aspirus serves communities through four hospitals in Michigan and 13 hospitals in Wisconsin, 75 clinics, home health and hospice care, pharmacies, critical care and air-medical transport, medical goods, nursing homes and a broad network of physicians. For more information, visit aspirus. org.