Concern about a “ quad-demic ” is growing in much of the country as the nation’s hospitals see a surge in respiratory viruses .
In Southern California, most hospitals never ended their mask mandates after the COVID-19 pandemic. But now, more mandates are returning.
Medical experts predicted the surge in cases due to the holiday season, with millions of Americans mixing and mingling at airports and family gatherings.
Now, further spread is expected as millions head back to work and school.
Hospitalizations are up sharply in major cities, including Los Angeles, New York and Chicago.
Health officials are advising the immunocompromised to mask in public to prevent illness, and in Wisconsin, a major health care group is reinstating a mask mandate beginning next week.
The “quad-demic” means a quadruple threat of flu , COVID-19 , RSV and norovirus , more commonly known as the stomach flu.
Norovirus has been rampant in many communities, and for most, the stomach flu means a very unpleasant 48 hours.