The Spread of Flu and COVID-19 Cases

Published in the Benedictine University Candor

August marks the beginning of the new school year and with it comes a spread of illnesses across all ages. As the school year begins, students start regularly attending classes with their peers. It is inevitable that germs spread, and many people end up falling ill.  

Taking into consideration how erratic the weather has been close to the end of August and beginning of September. Temperatures going down to the 60s some days then spiking up to around 80 degrees other days, it is no surprise that so many people are feeling the effects of the sudden change.  

According to the graph on the CDC (Centers of Disease Control and Prevention) website, in week 34(which ended on August 26th, testing, there was a sudden spike in influenza cases. For most school districts that is the first week of in person classes.  

Though, more concerning than the flu is the recent spike in COVID-19 cases. The mask mandate in Illinois was lifted on February 28th, 2022, when the spread of COVID-19 has slowed relatively. The addition of vaccinations and boosters gives people a sense of safety that the virus would not cause as much damage as it did in previous years. However, at the start of the school year, students are once again put in close proximity to each other, making the virus easier to spread.  

According to a graph tracking the hospitalizations due to COVID-19, there have been an estimated 20,538 new hospitalizations due to COVID-19 recorded on September 9th, 2023. The difference being more noticeable when looking at the data from July 29th, when the number of hospitalizations recorded was 9,081 cases. Prevention: The simplest way to prevent the spread of illnesses like the flu and COVID-19 is to wear a make. Although masks have become much less common in households since the mandate was listed in 2022, some people can still be seen wearing them. Masks are great ways to prevent the spread of illnesses of all kinds. 

Another way to prevent and fight illnesses is to get an adequate amount of sleep. Sleep is a well-known way of fighting illnesses. Resting is a very good way to help fight infections and illnesses alike.  

According to the Healthline website, “One reason may be that the body releases cytokines during extended periods of sleep. Cytokines are a type of protein. They help the body fight infection by regulating the immune system. One reason may be that the body releases cytokines during extended periods of sleep. Cytokines are a type of protein. They help the body fight infection by regulating the immune system.” 

Finally, personal hygiene and healthy eating habits are the key to ensuring a person is less at risk of falling ill. It helps the body stay healthy and clean, preventing the spread of bacteria and germs.