SULLIVAN COUNTY — Over the last few months, cases of respiratory illnesses in Sullivan County had been on the rise, according to Dr. Jodi Galaydick, MD, an Infectious Disease Expert at Garnet Health. 

But according to Dr. Galaydick, they are beginning to see a decrease in these illnesses, which includes Covid-19, Influenza (Flu) and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). 

“Large increases in respiratory viral infections this year were seen in late December and early January,” said Dr. Galaydick. “We are still seeing a significant number of people becoming ill with respiratory virus even now, but thankfully, we are starting to see a decrease.”

Dr. Galaydick said the biggest concerns that they have had at Garnet Health have been severe illnesses and even death in their most vulnerable patients. She noted that they have had some life-threatening cases of these illnesses over the last few months. 

Since  the end of December and into the beginning of February, she said that the total number of patients in the hospital had increased. In order to avoid the worst cases in these illnesses, Dr. Galaydick recommended for residents to stay up- to-date on their vaccines. They currently have vaccines for influenza, RSV and COVID. 

“The Influenza vaccine and Covid-19 vaccine is recommended to individuals over the age of 6 months of age and currently there is a booster for both,” Dr. Galaydick said. “RSV vaccination is available for adults over the age of 60 and adults with certain medical conditions, pregnant women between 32 to 36 weeks pregnancy and infants under 8 months or with chronic medical conditions.”

Dr. Galaydick also said that if you become ill with Covid-19 or Influenza, that they have antiviral medications that can be used early in the illness. 

“Individuals should speak to their healthcare provider to see if treatment is right for them,” she said. “If you are ill, you should stay home to avoid spreading the disease to others and get plenty of rest.”

Dr. Galaydick said that the most common way for these illnesses to spread is from person to person by coming into contact with the infected secretions by coughing and sneezing. 

Garnet Health is currently requiring their staff to wear masks while at work due to the large number of patients and staff getting sick. 

“We plan to revisit our masking requirements soon and will stop the requirement once we see transmission decrease.”