WEKU | By Samantha Morrill

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Health care officials in Kentucky are prepared for a surge in respiratory illnesses this month. As people gathered for the holidays, officials worry they will see more flu and RSV cases in the coming days.

Dr. Lindsay Ragsdale is Chief Medical Officer at Kentucky Children’s Hospital. She said the hospital sees a surge in RSV every January.

“Even despite the kind of different year that we’re seeing this year with RSV starting way earlier, we have seen a surge in January after holiday celebrations,” said Ragsdale.

Dr. Ragsdale warned that isn’t the only concern.

“I think the other thing that we’re unsure of is, will we see COVID-19 peak in January as well? Some of the modeling that we’ve seen does show a little bit of a surge in January. So, we hope that we’re not seeing flu and RSV and COVID all at the same time, but we’re going to be prepared in case that’s true,” said Ragsdale.

Dr. Ragsdale said the RSV season is expected to run through March.

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