SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Doctors are seeing a surge in respiratory illnesses in San Diego County following the holidays.
According to the county’s most recent data , flu cases increased by 1,147 the week ending Dec. 28 compared to the previous week. RSV cases shot up by 68 in that same time frame, while COVID-19 cases decreased by 59.
After ruling out the possibilities, local resident Ryan Kew determined he’s dealing with a common cold.
“A little cough, runny nose, no flu. Took a COVID test. I don’t have COVID,” Kew said.
Dr. Jyotu Sandhu at Sharp Memorial Hospital said there’s a noticeable difference this season.
“Normally we see flu rates rise around November through about February or so. This time it had a little bit of a late start, but we’re seeing a huge rise in the last few weeks,” Dr. Sandhu said.
Additionally, the California Department of Public Health is warning about a rise in whooping cough (pertussis) cases in young children. In a press release, CDPH noted that more than 2,000 cases of whooping cough were reported statewide between January and October 2024 — 62 of those cases were infants less than four months of age who were hospitalized, including one infant who tragically died. During the same time range in 2023, there were less than 400 whooping cough cases reported in the state.