A recent test conducted on Monroe County’s wastewater shows that flu, RSV, Norovirus and SARS-COV-2 levels are all on the rise.
Graham McKeen, the Director of Public and Environmental Health at IU, said that levels for Norovirus, or stomach flu, in particular are at an all-time high.
“Norovirus is the highest it's been since we've tracked wastewater in Bloomington for Norovirus, and it is what we call a Space Needle spike,” he said. “It is just off the charts.”
McKeen also said that flu levels are near peak and already higher than they were last season.
While the height of the numbers is a concern, the timing comes exactly as expected.
“As you can see on that wastewater trend line, it's going up, and it's just perfect timing in terms of what viruses want to do and spread at these times when we're indoors and with each other and in crowds and celebrating,” he said.
McKeen said it’s not too late to get a flu shot, to always wash your hands thoroughly, and that it might be time to mask up when out in public or at gatherings with friends and family.
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