The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tracked seasonal spikes in influenza, Sars-CoV-2 — the virus that causes Covid-19 — and respiratory syncytial virus or RSV, three viruses that cause respiratory illness and can be fatal to very young, elderly and immunocompromised groups.

As of Dec. 1, nearly 10% of weekly deaths were attributed to pneumonia, the flu or Covid-19, well above the epidemic threshold of 6.4% established by the National Center for Health Statistics.

Health care facilities are getting overloaded again as they grapple with a “tripledemic” of viral respiratory infections, people are being urged to consider donning masks and calling out sick.

PLEASE social distance, mask-up, wash your hands, and be careful.