‘Tripledemic’ Causes Hennepin Healthcare To Expand Hours
They’re calling it a “tripledemic.” COVID-19, flu and RSV cases are spiking and putting a strain on local hospitals and clinics.
Health experts say it’s the “worst flu season in decades.” According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 20,000 people were hospitalized for influenza last week, nearly double the number from the previous week.
To make matters worse, COVID-19 cases are on the rise again.
The Hennepin Healthcare clinic in Golden Valley says it’s inundated with young patients suffering from COVID-19, flu, RSV and other respiratory illnesses.
“We definitely have a backlog certainly in our emergency room,” said Natalie Ikeman, physician assistant with Hennepin Healthcare. “That’s why the clinics have opened extra visits for patients to be able to be seen, especially these pediatric patients since that is such a high-risk population.”
Doctors say many children are getting sick with RSV, Flu and COVID-19.
All of the providers in the family medicine clinics have opened additional time slots for RSV pediatric patients. Officials hope the extra hours will help ease the burden at the emergency room.
Hennepin Healthcare recommends people wear masks indoors and at holiday gatherings. Experts say it’s also a good idea to wash your hands often and stay home if you’re sick.
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